Yeusvi Flores: Infinite chain of life

As a donation and transplant coordinating physician, I have witnessed miracles and tragedies in equal measure. Today, I am writing to you to raise awareness regarding the crucial importance of organ donation. This issue concerns not only those on waiting lists, but all of us as a society.

Every day, thousands of people live in the hope of receiving the call that a compatible organ is available for them. As of today, 19,913 recipients are waiting for a transplant, according to official figures from the National Transplant Center (Cenatra). These people are not statistics; they are mothers, fathers, children and friends who long for a second chance to live fully.

Today, one day before celebrating World Transplant Patient Day (June 6), it is worth remembering that without a donor there is no transplant. Organ donation is that ray of hope, an invaluable gift that transcends life itself, manifesting the true meaning of love in its highest expression.

In my experience, I have seen patients regain their vitality following receiving a transplant, hug their loved ones once more following receiving a new liver, and kidney patients leave behind the painful sessions of dialysis or hemodialysis thanks to a kidney transplant. These moments are powerful reminders of what organ donation means: an opportunity to be reborn, to recover dreams, and to continue writing life stories in what I like to call the #infinitechainoflife.

The decision to be an organ donor is an act of profound altruism. It is a legacy of love and hope that we can leave behind. In a time of loss, we can give others the chance to continue living. A single donor has the potential to save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life of many more people through tissue donation.

However, the reality is that the need for organs far exceeds availability. Every year, thousands of people die waiting for a transplant. This reality can change if more people make the decision to become donors.

Education and awareness are powerful tools to close this gap and, as a true believer in the above, I would like to extend an invitation to you to follow the social networks of DonAxion, a virtual space based on scientific evidence where we aim to educate on organ and tissue donation.

I also invite you to reflect on the possibility of being a donor. Talk to your family and loved ones regarding your decision. This is essential; it represents a vital dialogue that must take place in every home. The generosity and value of donating organs not only affects those who receive the transplant, but also offers comfort and meaning to the families of the donors, knowing that their loss has saved other lives.

It is crucial that we understand that organ donation is a manifestation of our commitment to humanity. It is a declaration that life is precious and that, in the darkest moments, we can be the light for others.

I ask you to consider becoming an organ donor. By doing so you not only provide hope to those on the waiting list, but you also strengthen the fabric of our society, showing that together we can overcome adversity and celebrate life in all its forms.

Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter: @DraYeusviFlores; website: www.drayeus.com [e-mail]