A 17-Year-Old's Heartfelt Tribute Illuminating the Vitality of Organ Donation

Countless living souls hang on a thread between life and death and often a promise of vitality and a second chance is fulfilled by donating hope. The present time is proof that people are succumbing to chronic illnesses or organ failure. A major illness uproots all the underlying minor complications, leading to failed immunity and multiple organ failures. Countless lives are threatened, and the act of organ donation serves as an illumination of hope and building faith in humanity.

Medical science has reached a summit where it stands alone, peeking down at the path of advancements it has gone through. From curing tuberculosis to cancer, and now organ transplantation, this science holds the prospect of turning despair into faith, towards vitality and health restoration. 

For an individual suffering from chronic heart disease, lung, liver, or kidney failure, compatible organ transplantation heightens the chance of survival. Parents are waiting for a kidney for their daughter’s/son’s well-being, a child is in need of a new heart, and in several other cases, with sheer patience, wait for a compatible donor or organ, a new lifeline.

Innovative advancements like living organ donation, paired exchange programs, or organ procurement add up as beneficial features in the pool of organ transplantation. Apart from the scientific view, the act of organ donation resonates with the recipient\'s families and communities, building a sense of gratitude and responsibility. The art of giving a second life fosters a sense of connection, shared humanity, and a lesson of empathy.

Despite the latest technologies and progressions in medical science, the problem of acute demands over short supplies still acts as a hump over a clear pavement. The demographic uplift in the past decades has led to the discovery of more diseases and an increase in the number of patients. 

The fissure of supply and demand seems to widen daily, with more people suffering from chronic illnesses and increasing demands of organs, with only a few in supply, leaving numerous patients in queues waiting for months in search of a suitable donor. The shortage has led to many individuals surrendering to their illness, thus there is a need to be aware and encourage people about organ donation.

Hence, making it a mission, and spread the importance of organ donation, a 17-year-old high school student proficient and graceful in Kathak, took the responsibility on her shoulders to spread awareness and the importance of saving countless living souls via donating organs. 

Riyana Rampal, gracing the pursuers of fine art with her soulful and classical Kathak moves, illuminated the audience by narrating a tale solely aimed at saving countless lives. “The Dance of Life,” a unique aspect of dance, revealed at the India International Club on 6th August 2023, wasn’t just an art show, but a platform for young Riyana, to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation.

Thorough research and learning about numerous people waiting for organ transplants led the young 17-year-old to carry a responsibility that will guide several people towards a new life and herself towards the meaning of human empathy. The exploration finally landed her at the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) with an internship at ORGAN India, bodies responsible for raising awareness about organ donation and its utter need. 

NOTTO, a central organization of India, and ORGAN India, a non-profitable organization are established to facilitate organ donation and spread awareness in the country. 

While NOTTO aims for seamless facilitation of organ allocation, promoting deceased organ donation, and ethical distribution of organs, ORGAN India aims to create awareness through education and public gatherings. The holistic approaches of both organizations create a meaningful impact on the lives of organ recipients and channel a smooth flow from organ acquisition to distribution to the compatible recipient.

Self-realization illuminated the rest of the path for Riyana, as the communities embraced her efforts with open hearts. With sheer effort and hard work, Riyana raised a commendable amount of Rs. 100,000 from her recital, for ORGAN India. The donations will help the organization reach more people and accelerate the stride toward organ donation awareness. 

Beyond donating money lay a crucial fact of awareness among the youth, by the youth. The initiative by the young girl has ignited the spark of this crucial societal issue, the flames of which have soared to heights and traveled miles. 

By giving the gift of life, the mournings and despairs can be converted to hope and happiness. Although the queue is long, education, awareness, and immediate actions to acquire and deliver organs to the needy can be the key to unlocking the chains of the demand and supply problem. Riyana\'s efforts prove that no matter the age, the internal realization fueled by passion and a sense of responsibility can help individuals reach the summit. The fund raised by the young girl plays a crucial role in ORGAN\'S initiative and efforts towards awareness and saving lives by organ transplants.

Riyana\'s efforts in promoting health via arts act as fuel to spark a sense of responsibility among the youth of the country. It is crucial to understand the importance and need of organ donation and serve for the betterment of humanity. However, in current times we are facing multiple problems regarding fewer donors in comparison to receivers, and often individuals succumb when they lose hope, but continuous efforts need to be made without losing hope. 

To secure a better tomorrow, responsibilities need to be carried on the shoulders of the present. Methods and means can be anything. For Riyana it was art that promoted her endeavour to society. 

For us, it can be any method, and not just only for fundraising, beyond money lies the educating of reaching people and educating them about the importance of organ donation and how as a community people can step forward even a little towards the deed. The story of Riyana needs to be spread to more people across the country as it will convey a message of empathy and faith in humanity.