About a year ago, Melbourne resident Harpreet Singh Kandra received a surprising call from his father Kuldeep Singh in Chandigarh, India. His father, 84, said, “Like everyone else, I will leave this life, and I have decided to donate my body for medical research. Do not panic; you can perform the cultural rites, but please understand that it is my wish to donate my body.”
It got Kandra thinking. He found his father’s decision both motivating and inspiring.
Kandra has now decided to advocate for organ donation, “a sensitive issue” that not many are comfortable talking about.
Kandra, a Senior Lecturer at Federation University, is launching a campaign this weekend at the Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar in Officer. “We will be advocating for it throughout the week and providing people with the link to register for organ donation, as well as creating awareness and making a few pitches. We don’t want to push people on this sensitive subject.”
Kandra’s project assumes importance because there are few organ donors in multicultural communities. Reports show that organ donation rates in Australia are low among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. In 2023, these communities made up only 15% of over 500 organ donations, which is about 10 percentage points less than their share of the population.
Victoria has a lower percentage (23%) of its population registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) compared to other states (36% national average), according to a report by Parliament of Victoria.
“I am not aware of many efforts from multicultural communities in this space, so this will be a unique initiative,” Kandra says, adding, “I understand that death is a sensitive topic and can make people anxious.”
Additionally, in certain faiths, there are no clear guidelines.
Kandra explains that some people believe holy scriptures do not directly address modern medical practices. However, he emphasises the importance of considering the core teachings of faiths, which focus on love, compassion, and the value of giving, even in death.
“We are simply launching an awareness campaign. Some people may seek more information, while others might use it as an opportunity to reflect,” he says. “I have already talked on a one-on-basis with a few friends in the community and I have about 30 people who have agreed for donation.”
Starting next week, Kandra will facilitate the awareness and registration process. He has also been helping another organisation called Enliven Australia to develop resources specifically for multicultural communities. These resources will be shared with the communities to build awareness about the processes and benefits of organ donation to the wider community. These will also break myths.
“The resources will be ready in a few months, as we have just begun this work,” he shares.
Kandra says the first challenge is to encourage people to think and talk about death, as it is a topic that is often considered only in the context of what happens afterward.
Secondly, Kandra notes that even if a family member is ready to donate, their partner may not be. “This is where the process can slow down or get stalled once the prospective donor passes away.”
Thirdly, Kandra highlights that people often lack understanding about what and how they can donate. “Some individuals have specific cultural concerns. For example, as a Sikh who does not cut my hair, I worry that donating my organs might involve procedures that require cutting my hair. This lack of understanding can prevent people from signing up.”
However, Kandra has gathered information from Donate Life that, upon a person’s passing, an interactive session is held with the family to understand their background, cultural needs, and wishes. Each person can donate up to seven organs, as well as eyes and soft tissue. The family can specify what they wish to donate and what they do not. The process is designed to be respectful and streamlined.
The fact remains that organ donation is a deeply sensitive issue, and Kandra believes it is crucial for individuals to make well-informed decisions that align with their personal beliefs and values. Getting a good understanding of the professional processes in place can help prospective donors make an informed decision, he notes.
The Indian Sun acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
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Harpreet Singh Kandra advocates organ donation among multicultural communities in Victoria, highlighting the importance of awareness, aiming to improve low donation rates through a sensitive, informative campaign. 👥💖📝🌏🙏 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/xnX193HLaO
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