In order to popularize organ donation in society and raise awareness on this issue, "Every Donation is a New Life That Sprouts: Organ Donation Awareness Symposium" was organized in cooperation with Atatürk University Research Hospital, Erzurum City Hospital and Nursing Faculty. In the symposium, which aims to popularize organ donation in society and raise awareness on this issue, the importance of organ donation in the field of health was detailed by experts.

The Importance of Organ Donation for Society was Emphasized

Atatürk University Research Hospital Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Bilgehan Erkut, Erzurum City Hospital Chief Physician Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hakkı Tör, Nursing Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Reva Balcı Akpınar, Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine Forensic Medicine Institution Group President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Nezih Kök and many academicians, doctors and students attended the symposium held in Atatürk University Research Hospital Conference Hall. The social benefits of organ donation and transplantation were conveyed to the participants by experts in the field.

At the opening of the symposium, the benefits of organ donation to society and the contributions of organ transplantation processes to the country's health system were discussed. The life-saving role of organ donation was emphasized in the videos shown at the event. The importance of organ donation as a hope for new lives was presented to the participants with visual explanations.

Informative Presentations from Experts

Presentations were made on important developments in organ donation and transplantation at the symposium. Atatürk University Organ Transplantation Education, Research and Application Center Director Prof. Dr. Gürkan Öztürk shared the university's important studies in the field of organ transplantation in his speech titled "Organ Transplantation at Atatürk University: What Has Been Done in the Last 20 Years?" Prof. Dr. Öztürk shared the achievements made in recent years and future goals with the participants.

Another important speech explaining the critical role of brain death in the organ donation process came from Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department Head Prof. Dr. Nazım Doğan. In his presentation titled "When Will They Take My Organs from Me? Brain Death", Doğan gave a medical definition of brain death and emphasized its importance in the organ donation process.

Erzurum City Hospital Organ Transplant Responsible Physician Specialist Dr. Ayşe Nur Daş discussed the profound effects of organ donation on individuals and society in her speech titled "The Most Beautiful Mark You Will Leave on Life: Organ Donation". Dr. Daş explained how organ donation can touch a person's life and reminded them once again of the importance of popularizing organ donation.

In the closing section of the program, Specialist Nurse Zühal Yetiş Demir from Atatürk University Health Application and Research Center Organ Transplant Clinic shared her experiences regarding patient care after organ transplantation in her presentation titled "Patient Care After Organ Transplantation: Sharing Experiences". Demir shared the difficulties experienced after transplantation and the effects of the care provided during this process on the patients' quality of life with the participants.

The Life-Saving Role of Organ Donation Reminded Once Again

The symposium, which aimed to raise public awareness on organ donation, was successfully held with the contributions of experts. At the end of the event, certificates of appreciation were presented to the speakers, allowing the participants to reflect on the importance of organ donation. The symposium reminded both healthcare professionals and the general public of the life-saving role of organ donation once again.

The program, organized to raise awareness, ended with the closing speech of one of the Symposium Chairs, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Karaman Özlü, followed by a souvenir photo shoot.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE – 07.11.2024