Movement for Organ Donations in Tamil Nadu India

(August 19, 2010) Fr Jerry Rosario, a Jesuit priest and social activist who teaches theology in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu Southern India, is also the founder of Dhanam meaning donate, an organisation that focuses on raising awareness about blood and organ donations. “Having donated blood for 145 times since the age of 19, I have also promoted for many years organ donations for medical research and the well-being of people,” Father Rosario said. In Asia, organ donation has not yet become commonplace, but trafficking in organs sold by poor people is. In India, organ donation is rare. Even so, the Indian parliament passed the Transplantation of Human Organs Act in 1994, which lays down the formal guidelines for the procedure. Under the law, people can donate organs to close relatives without government permission, but they cannot buy or sell them. “Sharing oneself with others is considered the noblest ways of sharing,” Father Rosario said. Indeed, “Jesus gave his life to empower the poorest of the poor,” he pointed out. Therefore, “I urge others to give blood and organs. This way, we can give life to those who need it, and bring joy and happiness to their family and the world.” Over the years, Father Rosario has moved quite a few people. “I am happy that people donate regardless of culture or religion. This is my mission as a priest: helping others.”