São Silvestre, Volta da Pampulha and even world championships. At 51 years old, professor Maria Alice Sousa accumulates medals for participating in races and transforms her own life into an example of the importance of organ donation. “Transplant means life”, she celebrates. This Sunday (17), she was at Parque da Cidade at the event promoted by the Health Department of the Federal District (SES-DF) in reference to Green September, an awareness campaign about organ donation.
Ten years ago, with a new liver, Maria Alice was there as an example of the success of transplants. “Being an organ donor means being able to help write stories,” she says.
The Federal District has registered an increase in the number of donations: in 2022, there were 747 procedures and in the first seven months of 2023 there were 500. However, the goal is to increase the numbers. “Around half of the families of potential donors end up refusing”, says the director of the State Transplant Center (CET-DF) of SES-DF, Gabriella Christmann.
According to employees in the area, the biggest reason for refusing donations is the family not being aware of what the deceased relative’s wishes would be. “We try at events like this to deal with the topic in a light way, so that people can talk at home”, explains the director.
Popsicle seller Edson de Jesus, 48 years old, for example, took advantage of his working day at Parque da Cidade to answer some questions. “I think it’s really cool, because the person who passed away will no longer need the organs,” he says. He said he never talked about the subject with his family, but was convinced to discuss the issue.
The event also featured conversation circles, blood pressure and blood glucose measurement services, workplace gymnastics and music with a duet from the Military Fire Brigade (CBMDF).
Solidarity to save lives
Anyone from two years of age to 75 years of age can become an organ donor, in the event of death resulting from brain death, more common in cases such as accidents, falls, stroke and drowning, among other occurrences. It is necessary to be in adequate general health, without illnesses such as cancer, for example. If the appropriate conditions for the procedure are identified, the family is invited to a conversation about the topic as soon as the brain death protocol begins.
According to the director of CET-DF, all procedures take place with the utmost respect for the donor, family members and technical rigors. Brain death, for example, is only confirmed after analysis by two different doctors, in addition to supporting tests. “The protocol leaves no doubt,” she explains. A single person can become a donor of a heart, two kidneys, liver and corneas.
Currently, around 700 people are waiting on the list for a transplant in DF, the majority of which are kidneys. Both in the Unified Health System (SUS) and in the complementary network, the patient enters the transplant list by entering their name in the National Transplant System (SNT), with recipients selected in chronological order, depending on severity or blood and genetic compatibility with the donor.
With information from Agência Brasília
The post Organ donation gains prominence at event in Parque da Cidade appeared first in Jornal de Brasília.
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