Organ donation: Transplant games, the “Island effect,” and other successful methods

Abstract

We have alluded to data showing that effective organisation has a well-documented effect on organ donation. We have also presented data demonstrating the positive effect of the Transplant Games on public opinion and through positive media influence, producing a very marked increase in organ donation. Attention has also been drawn to the surprising phenomenon we call the "Island Effect," which may endorse the concept of decentralisation and close communication as an effective way of increasing organ donation. Finally, we conclude that, with professional help, both into the organisation of organ donation, and the creation of a positive media effect on public opinion, there is a great scope for increasing human organ donation to levels that are very much higher than that which we now experience. Both the Transplant Games and the "Island Effect" have indicated routes that we can and must explore and use to narrow the vital gap between organ need and organ supply for transplantation.