Organ Donation and Transplantation Awareness in Ukraine
On October 17, Ukraine observes Organ Donation and Transplantation Day. To raise public awareness about the importance of organ donation and transplantation, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Transplant Coordination Center, and the book café network book.ua have launched a joint campaign titled "Through Hundreds of Doubts, I Come to You." This initiative features the inspiring story of Natalia, a successful transplant recipient, and includes public discussions and themed bookmarks distributed through bookstores.
Natalia, 35 years old, endured over 20 years of dialysis treatments, undergoing sessions three times a week, each lasting four hours. In 2023, she received a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. Currently, Natalia is a fourth-year student at the O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University, aiming to become a nephrologist. She is also authoring a book, reflecting her commitment to sharing her experiences and insights.
Campaign Activities and Public Events
The campaign includes a video featuring Natalia's journey, which is available on the official pages of the Ministry of Health, the Ukrainian Transplant Coordination Center, book.ua, and book.ua space. Throughout October, visitors to book.ua’s bookstore cafés can receive complimentary themed bookmarks with every book purchase. These bookmarks feature a line from Vasyl Stus: "Through hundreds of doubts, I come to you," along with a QR code linking to detailed information about organ donation and transplantation.
A series of themed meetings is planned in Kyiv as part of the campaign. The first event, titled "Deceased Donation: What Lies Behind Our Fears," will take place on October 3. A second discussion, scheduled for October 15, will include Natalia, writer Yevheniia Kuznetsova, Health Minister Viktor Liashko, and the General Director of the Ukrainian Transplant Coordination Center, Dmytro Koval. These events will be hosted at:
- book.ua bookstore café, 5 Spaska Street, Kyiv;
- book.ua space, Pavilion No. 6, VDNH, Kyiv.
Since 2021, nearly 3,000 transplant surgeries have been performed in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Transplant Coordination Center. In the first nine months of 2026 alone, 461 organ transplants were completed, including 43 for children. More than 70% of these operations were made possible through deceased donor donations. Currently, over 4,300 patients are on the transplant waiting list. Adults with full legal capacity can submit a written declaration to a transplant coordinator expressing consent or refusal for posthumous organ donation. This information is recorded in the Unified State Information System for Organ and Tissue Transplantation. Consent for posthumous donation can be withdrawn at any time.
This campaign aims not only to boost knowledge about donation but also to shift societal attitudes towards transplantation. Sharing the stories of individuals granted a second chance at life through organ donation serves as a powerful motivator for others to participate in this life-saving cause. With a significant number of patients still waiting for transplants in Ukraine, efforts like this are vital for advancing healthcare services and improving the quality of life for those battling serious illnesses.