Luxembourg-Transplant has invited the public to celebrate Organ Donation Day with a “Spinning Marathon” and the chance learn about the need for organ donations on Sunday 16 October 2016 between 10:00 and 19:00 at Hall 1, Luxexpo in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.
This year, over 1,000 participants are expected to take part in an indoor cycling activity to show their solidarity with patients on the waiting list for organ donations. Many of those involved will also be people who have already received transplants, who wish to show their return to an active life.
Luxemburg’s Minister of Health, Lydia Mutsch, will also be present at the event. Moreover, in the afternoon, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Mars Di Bartolomeo, will visit several participants to support them as well as the promotion of organ donation.
In spite of significant progress in medicine, especially in terms of the prevention of certain illnesses, organ donation remains the only means of survival for many patients. Currently, there are 15,000 patients on the waiting list for transplants, according to Eurotransplant. Many of them will not receive transplants due to a lack of organ donors.
In 2015, Luxembourg had only three organ donors, making it one of the worst countries for organ donation. As such, it is essential to inform the public on the alarming situation, and to remind them that organ donation is an act of generosity and solidarity which can save lives.
