Nearly 1,000 organ transplant recipients from 50 countries will take part in the 17th World Transplant Games in Gold Coast, Australia from August 22 to 30, 2009.

Each of them has had a life-saving organ transplant — heart, kidney, liver, pancreas, lungs, bone marrow or a combination — and demonstrates astonishing levels of fitness and a never-say-die optimism.

The games are also an occasion to salute donors and their families and to show through sport what organ donation can do. “The Games capture the true meaning of courage in overcoming difficulties in life, and the gratitude of receiving that ultimate gift, an organ or tissue transplant,” says Chris Thomas, CEO, Transplant Australia, a community body for organ and tissue donation and the official sponsor of the Gold Coast games.

Though Australia boasts one of the world’s best success rates in organ and tissue transplantation, shortage of organs is a major worry. Ironically, over 80 per cent of Australians say they believe in organ and tissue donation, but family refusal rates stand at 40-50 per cent.

The Australian government is attempting to improve matters through changes in policy, more investment and awareness programmes. 

Organ Donation in Tamil Nadu

SOME INTRESTING FACTS

• Tamil Nadu has the highest eye donation rate in India - 8000 per year
• The first successful kidney transplant in India was done in Tamil Nadu
• The first successful multi-organ donation and transplant was done in Tamil Nadu in 1995
• MOHAN Foundation has facilitated 450 of the 1400 cadaver organs transplanta in India since the year 2000 and first started its operations in 1997.