KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 — Picture this: You’re in urgent need of a heart transplant, and you are fit enough to undergo the procedure. There are only two organ retrieval teams in Malaysia, yet both are available for mobilisation at a moment’s notice. So what’s stopping you from getting a second chance at life?
The most probable answer would be a lack of organ donors. In fact, the total number of current pledgers in our country as of 30 November, 2020 is 478,662, which is just 1.5 per cent of the Malaysian population.
That’s why Organs for Love is back this year. No virus or lockdown can stop this enthusiastic group of medical students from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya from spreading awareness on the topic of organ donation in our nation.
Virtual Run
Yes, you read it right. Organs for Love 2021 is converting to a virtual format where you can run in the comfort of your own home. Just record your running time for a five km run using one of the three mobile applications (Strava, Nike Run Club, or Runkeeper) and send it to us via our Google form. With this, you can choose to run anytime and anywhere at your own pace! As a bonus, all participants will receive a kit that includes the following:
- Medal
- T-shirt
- Bib
- Drawstring bag
- Goodie bag filled with gifts from our sponsors
- E-certificate
All proceeds will go to patients from the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) who are awaiting transplant surgeries to ease their financial burden, which is one of our main goals. We hope to see you running for this noble cause! Details are as follow:
- Dates: 12 April, 2021 – 2 May, 2021
- Platform: Strava, Nike Run Club, Runkeeper
- Price: RM57 (early bird), RM60 (normal price)
Webinar Series
Now imagine a new scenario: You’re in urgent need of a heart transplant, and there is a willing donor! One of only two organ retrieval teams in Malaysia is already on the way to harvest the donor’s organ, giving you this crucial second chance at life!
Then you receive a phone call: due to lack of understanding and awareness, the donor’s next of kin withdrew their consent. There goes your shot at living.
Problems in communication and lack of awareness are among the primary issues contributing to the low organ donation rate in Malaysia. If you’re committed to the idea of pledging to be an organ donor, yet plagued with doubts and questions as to how to go about it, we have the answer for you with our webinar series on the topic of organ donation:
- Organ Recipient Sharing Session: 19 February, 2021 (9.00 pm – 10.00 pm)
- Organ Donation: A Religious Perspective: 26 February, 2021 (8.30 pm – 10.30 pm)
- Introduction to ODISSeA – A Webinar for Medical Students: 12 March, 2021 (8.00 pm – 11.00 pm)
Join us as we explore the topic of organ donation. All webinars stream live on our Facebook page, so do check out the links below!
Fitness Workshops
How do you avoid ending up as one of the 5,028 people in serious need of a transplantation currently waiting for their turn on the organ transplantation waiting list? You can start by taking care of your own organs of course!
Exercising does wonders for the body, so if you’re looking to burn off some additional calories gained during the MCO, check out our fitness workshop which will be held on 6 March, 2021:
- HIIT Session by Coach Nadira (4.00 – 5.00 pm)
- Pilates for Mindfulness: The Key to Total Well Being by Coach Nanthini (5.00 – 6.00 pm)
The registration form will be released on 20 February, so mark your calendars! Excited to help spread awareness on organ donation? Registration for the virtual run starts on the 22 January, 2021 and ends on 17 March, 2021.
For more information, check out our Facebook and Instagram pages Organs For Love Walkathon and @organsforlove respectively, and keep an eye out for exclusive promotions as well! Register now as early bird prices end on 28 February!
