My Eye on Organ Donation استفت قلبك

In 2009, some beautiful young men and women came from Riyadh to Jeddah to give us the TNT (Training for New Trainers) course. And this is where it all started. In Riyadh, they had already had the campaign, and now it was our turn to receive the torch and pass on the light to our beloved Jeddawi people. We trained beautiful young people to go out to malls and give out info and help people make the decision to donate, and save a life.

ومن احياها فكأنما احيا الناس جميعا

That was the noble message. But how many of us think of noble messages and deep profound human deeds when it comes to our loved ones? Could you? I don’t know, but we need to make a decision. Lemme help you out:

I)What You Need To Know

We all know how difficult it is to make such a decision. But what we have to understand is that it goes way beyond merely following your gut feeling. There are many factors involved, and many aspects of our life. God is involved. We need to take our time and know all there is to know before making that decision. Here are 3 simple ways to look at it:

1)    Economically

If my kidneys failed, I’d have to 115,000 SR per year for treatment which is more than most of us make in a year. In KSA, there are more than 11,000 people that suffer from kidney failure, with a 9% increase every year! With simple math, you can figure that more than a billion riayls is needed every year to deal with this problem. Thankfully, a society by the name of “جمعية الامير فهد بن سلمان” has many programs that aid this situation. Sadly, Fahd Bin Salman had to die for this society to start, may God rest his soul. The society performs transfusions for 700 patients a year, with a cost of about 80 million SR, with an additional 12 million for other procedures and surgeries. The number is quite small compared the demand of the problem. But it’s something. The other program it provides is organ donation. Organ donation has a big gap to cover (subtract 700 from 11000). Nonetheless, the need is quite clear.

Here is the link to the society and its programs:

http://www.kellana.org.sa/default.aspx

2)    Emotionally

Ok, so let’s get real. Would you do it? Would you agree for your loved one to do it? Forget all those fancy numbers and that economic mumbo-jumbo, and remember that a kidney failure patient renews his blood 1-3 times a week. That’s 1-3 times a week he has to take out of his life to go to a hospital. Most of us don’t do things we love 1-3 times a week. Not enough? How about we turn the tables: How about you ask me what I’d do if the situation was switched and it was MY brother or sister that needed the kidney? What would I feel seeing them go back and forth 3 times a week to the hospital? What if I needed it? What would I think of organ donation then? I know my answer. I’d scramble and fight and yell until I got that kidney. I’d save his/her life because I love them, and would do anything for them not to go. Here is what you need to know: The surgery performed to extract the organ is done with the same privacy and respect to the body as a live human being.

3)    Religiously 

Many of you jumped right to this question as soon you read the title. Here is what you need to know: The debate has been going on forever. One argument is that anything after death is God’s property. The other is the verse: “ومن احياها فكأنما احيا الناس جميعا” . But as always, we scramble looking for Fatwa. The latest one has been issued all the way back in 1402 Hijri. 16 Scholars voted, 14 agreed 2 passed on voting. The problem? Sheikh Bin Baz was among the 2 that voted. This has caused big conflict, as many of us think highly of him. But the fact of the matter is, in 1402 there weren’t 11000 people needing this. And you can always argue that the majority said yes. The prophet said: استفت قلبك right? I’ll leave you with the link to the fatwa, and the decision:

http://www.kellana.org.sa/fatawa.aspx  (It’s the last one down)

II)   The Donation Card

Print the card. Keep it with you at all times

Here is what you need to know: This card does NOT mean you are an automatic donor. It also does not mean that you are registered to donate, as it is in western countries. The latest religious views still mandate that the final decision is in the family’s hands. This card only serves as a promotion token, and the burden is on you now to raise awareness to your family and convince them.

Here in 2011, I truly believe it is our priority to raise our voice and DEMAND a fatwa that puts this decision back in our hands, or else explain why it is not. It does not make sense to me how taking this decision out of the hands of a person (me) and giving it to another (my family) is any different. We need to solve it once and for all. 11,000 people need this decision. Let’s get a fatwa!

Advertisement