Every year, on August 13, World Organ Donation Day is observed, globally, to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation and to make people aware about the misconceptions that surround organ donation.

World Organ Donation Day 2025 Theme And Significance

This year's theme for World Organ Donation Day is 'Answering the Call'. This theme highlights the important function played by the professionals in the organ donation community. What it means is to encourage more to strengthen their dedication to save as many lives as possible through organ donation and transplantation.

The Pace Hospital notes that as of 2021, globally, 1,44,302 organ transplantations had occurred, of which, 26.44% were of deceased organ donation. India performed a total of 12,259 transplantation, contributing to 8% in global transplantations. In India, the most transplants that took place were for kidneys at 74.27%, liver at 23.33%, heart at 1.23%, lung at 1.08%, pancreas at 0.15%, and small intestine at 0.03%.

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The overall number of deceased donors transplantation in India was 4.5%. While the deceased donors transplantation in India was reported 759 for kidney, 279 for liver and 99 for heart, the Indian Ministry of Health's estimated that it needs 175,000 kidneys, 50,000 livers, hearts, and lungs and 2,500 pancreas to meet the demand.

The Indian Ministry of Road and Transport and Highway's 2021 report notes that more than 1.5 lakh were reported as accident-related mortalities, however, only 552 deceased brain deaths organ transplantations took place in 2021. This is why it is more so important to raise awareness about organ donation to help those in requirement and reducing the number of patients on the waiting list.

History Of Organ Donation

It was in 1954, when the first successful organ transplant was performed. It was a kidney transplant by Dr Joseph Murray and his team at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

The donor was Ronald Lee Herrick, who donated his organ to his twin brother Richard Herrick. Later in 1990, the doctor was honored with Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for bringing advances in organ transplantation.

Th United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) highlights the timeline of the first donations and transplants performed of different organs.

• 1996: First simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant performed.
• 1967: First successful liver transplant performed.
• 1968: The Southeast Organ Procurement Foundation implemented the first computer-based organ matching system, which was dubbed as UNOS. It successfully performed the first isolated pancreas transplant and heart transplant.
• 1981: First successful heart-lung transplant performed.
• 1983: First successful single-lung transplant performed. Cyclosporine, the first of a number of drugs that effectively treat organ rejection by suppressing the human immune system, introduced.
• 1984: National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) was passed.
• 1986: First successful double-lung transplant performed.
• 1987: First successful intestinal transplant performed.
• 1988: First split-liver transplant performed.
• 1989: First successful living donor liver transplant performed.
• 1990: First successful living donor lung transplant performed.
• 1992: UNOS helped found Donate Life America to build public support for organ donation.
• 1998: First successful adult-to-adult living donor liver transplant performed.

How Organ Donation Can Change A Life?

In March 2024, a dedicated Delhi-based teacher, Meena Mehta was declared brain dead and her organs were donated to many, including her hands, shared her nephew Jawed Mehta. A 45-year-old Delhi-based painter had lost both his hands in a 2020 train accident, who received hand transplant. The hands were of Meena Mehta. After a 12-hour long surgery, the painter was able to paint again. Meena Mehta also donated her kidney, liver, and corneas, which has changed lives of three more people.

Zack Grossi, the pass game specialist for the football team Denver Broncos, who was diagnosed with yolk sac tumor has returned to his position on the sidelines, and has been cancer free. The team now, is making their mark on NFL's Crucial Catch initiative by being the first time to extend support for all cancers.

The owner of the team and Foundation Board Chair Carrie Walton Penner, along with the Bronco organization is now taking its cancer-fighting efforts one step further. On Monday night's "Fight Like a Bronco" game against the Bengals, the team will be unveiling a special cancer bell at the Empower Field at Mil High. This bell would be a symbol for patients to ring once they are declared cancer free.

The bell was built and designed by the students from Eaglecrest High School and the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus(CCIC). Th bell will be making its debut during a pregame reception hosted by Penner.

The event will honor the survivors as well as their caregivers before the kickoff. The bell will also travel to hospitals across Denver metro area throughout the month of October.

“Built with care by the amazing Eaglecrest High School students at the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus, the ‘Fight Like a Bronco’ bell is a unique way to celebrate every victory in the fight against cancer,” said Allie Engelken, the Broncos’ vice president of community impact.

The reception day will also have survivors and caregivers take part in the national anthem and hold the Colorado flag in the field.

With Coach Grossi's return and being declared as cancer-free, his name will also appear on the 'Fight Like a Bronco' flag, which will be carried by a Mascot.

It was in 2015, that the team first launched its cancer-inclusive imitative 'Fight Like a Bronco'. This was inspired by former assistant turf manager Luke Kellerman, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Kellerman passed away in 2017 at the age of 34.

Ever since, Broncos have expanded their initiative to promote prevention, screenings, and support for all cancer patients. It has become the first NFL team to broaden its focus on cancer in this way.

The Cancer That The Broncos Coach Had

Grossi was diagnosed with a yolk sac tumor, which is also known as an endodermal sinus tumor. It is a malignant cancer that starts in germ cells, which are immature cells that develop into sperm or eggs. Although they most commonly occur in the gonads (testicles or ovaries), they can also appear in other parts of the body, such as the brain, chest, or abdomen. Yolk sac tumors are aggressive and require treatment, but early diagnosis offers a good chance of a cure.

Grossi was diagnosed with this condition in 2024 and underwent his treatment at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. “Once I got the treatment plan, it became a very clear opponent,” he says. “It was fourth-and-1 every day.”

Symptoms Grossi Experienced before his cancer diagnosis:

• Unexpected weight gain despite working out
• Shortness of breath / getting winded easily
• Difficulty sleeping, even when extremely tired
• Noticeable heartbeat when pressing on the left side of rib cage
• Persistent, deep, body-racking cough
• Overall fatigue and feeling unwell

The US is again gripped in the news due to yet another listeria outbreak due to the Trader Joe's Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Fettucine Alfredo. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update that showed that the recent listeria outbreak has led to 20 cases, including 19 hospitalizations and four deaths. As of now, the outbreak is spanned over 15 states.

The CDC noted that while the products that are linked to the outbreak may no longer be in the stores, it could be in consumers' fridges or freezers, if they have purchased recently. The update notes that recalled products must be thrown away or returned at the place of purchase.

The CDC update also notes that consumers must not eat the food and must clean their refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched the affected surface of the contaminated food. As these bacteria can survive in the fridge due to cold temperature and also spread on to other foods or surfaces.

The Marketside meatball linguine was also recalled from Walmart. As of now the products bearing the "best by" dates of:

• September 20
• September 24
• September 27

What Is Listeria?

As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), listeria is a type of disease-causing bacteria that can be found in many places. These places include soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation, and animals. It can also survive and in fact grow in under refrigeration. It is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, which can thrive in unsanitary food production conditions and lead to contamination of food. People who consumed the contaminated food could develop a disease called listeriosis.

L. monocytogenes is transmitted when food is harvested, processed, prepared, packed, transported or stored in manufacturing or production environments contaminated with L. monocytogenes. Environment can also become contaminated by raw materials, water, soil, and incoming air. Pets can also spread the bacteria in the home if they eat food contaminated with L. monocytogenes.

Listeria: What Are The Symptoms?

There are two ways in which Listeriosis can present:

Non-invasive gastrointestinal listeriosis: the milder form, limited to the digestive system.

Invasive listeriosis: the more dangerous form, which occurs when the bacteria spread beyond the intestines to other parts of the body.

Symptoms

Non-invasive listeriosis mostly has short-lived symptoms:

• fever
• muscle aches
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

These symptoms usually last for 1 to 3 days.

Invasive listeriosis is a more severe form and could be life-threatening. The symptoms include:

• headache
• stiff neck
• confusion
• loss of balance
• seizures.

This type is more dangerous towards newborns, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems.

Who Is Most at Risk?

There are certain groups who are at more risk than others for Listeriosis, they are:

• Pregnant women and their unborn or newborn babies
• Adults aged 65 and older
• People with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant Women and Newborns

Children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball spoke openly on Monday’s Good Morning Britain about his prostate cancer diagnosis from 2022. During the ITV show, hosts Ed Balls and Susanna Reid discussed Ball’s health and recovery. The 87-year-old, father of radio host Zoe Ball and well-known for shows like Play School, revealed that he successfully completed treatment and is now in good health.

Reflecting on his experience, Ball said, “I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2022. Thankfully, after three months of daily radiation therapy starting in September, I’m through it and feeling well.” He acknowledged that the disease can be fatal, citing friends who lost their lives to it, including Goon Show star Harry Secombe and comedian Bob Monkhouse. “I’m 20 years younger than them, and I feel fortunate because today we can treat it successfully,” he added.

Ball also stressed the importance of regular check-ups. Despite showing no symptoms, his cancer was discovered during a routine GP visit. His PSA levels were at 30, far above the normal threshold of three, highlighting the value of screening even in the absence of symptoms.

What Is Prostate Cancer?Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system responsible for producing fluid that forms part of semen. The condition occurs when cells in the prostate grow uncontrollably, potentially forming a tumor. While some forms grow slowly and may not immediately threaten health, the cancer can be dangerous if it spreads beyond the prostate. Factors that increase risk include age, genetics, and ethnicity.

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder in men. Its primary role is to produce seminal fluid, which helps nourish and transport sperm.

How Does Prostate Cancer Develop?

Cancer in the prostate begins when certain cells start growing abnormally. These cells multiply faster than normal, eventually forming a tumor.

Early Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer often does not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do appear, they usually involve changes in urination:

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Difficulty starting or stopping urine flow
• Weak or interrupted stream
• Urgency, or a sudden, hard-to-control need to urinate
• Feeling of incomplete emptying after urination

Other possible signs include:

• Blood in urine or semen
• Erectile dysfunction
• Pain or burning during urination or ejaculation
• Persistent pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or upper thighs
• Weakness or numbness in later stages

Because early prostate cancer often produces few or no obvious symptoms, regular check-ups and screenings are crucial, particularly for men with risk factors. Anyone noticing these signs should seek medical advice promptly.