Organmeetings: Strengthening the Information Chain for a Second Chance at Life

More than 1,500 adult citizens have embraced the two initiatives, Organmeetings and ‘Organmeetings on the Spot,’ both of which aim to enhance public understanding of organ donation and transplants. On June 25 at 15:00, the 7th online seminar will take place, shedding light on and addressing every aspect of this crucial public health issue.

Organ donation is an act of supreme solidarity. However, insufficient information often gives rise to fears and misconceptions that prevents us from distinguishing the truth from the myths that still surrounding organ donation and transplants today.

What are the procedures involved in organ donation and transplantation, and how are they implemented in Greece? What is life like before and after receiving a transplant? Have you ever wondered whether the news stories we occasionally read—about patients in a coma allegedly waking up just before organ removal—are misinformation or if organs are truly removed from comatose patients?

The Organmeetings program, supported by the Onassis Foundation and held under the scientific auspices of the Hellenic Transplant Organization and the Onassis Hospital, aims to answer these and many more questions surrounding organ donation and transplants.

Organmeetings are open to companies, public and private institutions, media organizations, hospitals, socially active associations, etc., which means that any adult citizen may attend. However, participation forms may only be submitted by representatives of the above organizations who are in a position to organize group participation (e.g., HR Directors, Marketing Managers, Association Presidents, etc.).

Organ donation concerns us all. In fact, it is statistically more likely that we will one day need an organ transplant than be in a position to donate one. In Europe, over 7,000 people die each year while waiting for a transplant. Misinformation, lack of information, and long-standing prejudices often prevent families from consenting to the organ donation of their deceased loved ones. Knowledge saves lives, and this program aims to create a far-reaching information chain. At the same time, it provides companies and organizations with the opportunity to incorporate a pioneering and meaningful awareness-raising activity into their Corporate Social Responsibility strategies.

The Organmeetings webinars are delivered by specialized professionals from the Hellenic Transplant Organization, offering accurate, reliable, and stereotype-free information about organ donation and transplantation, helping to cultivate a culture of empathy and action around this vital issue. We all become invaluable links in the chain of life.

Organmeetings is part of the National Initiative on Organ Donation and Transplantation undertaken by the Onassis Foundation. The program is implemented under the scientific auspices of the Hellenic Transplant Organization and the Onassis Hospital, and is accompanied by the first comprehensive guide created in Greece for organ donation and transplantation.

Driven by the vision of breathing new life into the organ transplantation sector and fostering a culture of organ donation in Greece, the Onassis Foundation has launched a National Initiative in collaboration with the Hellenic Transplant Organization and the Onassis Hospital.

Through a comprehensive approach, the National Initiative on Organ Donation and Transplantation builds new infrastructure, invests in innovation, strengthens the institutional framework governing organ donation and transplantation, promotes scientific research, supports the development of healthcare professionals, and implements public awareness and education campaigns. At the heart of the National Initiative lies the creation of the Onassis National Transplant Center, which is expected to be delivered to the Greek State by the end of 2025.