這周一, 歡欣機構在博士山浸信會舉辦了「給他人恩典」器官捐贈展覽華人推廣活動。有很 多人談論器官捐贈時, 總會認為人死後, 總要保持軀體完整, 因此並不十分支持。主動登記成為捐贈者的人並不太多。其他文化的移民, 不少也有類似想法。事實上, 在發掘出來古代埃及法老王陵墓金字塔中, 人也發現人體內臟都會被保存下來, 以便將來復活時使用。中國的太監, 更把閹割的性器官保留與自己合葬。

現代人的世界觀有所改變, 對死後身體並沒有看成與將來復活有甚麼關聯, 進行火葬的人也漸多, 而也有開始接受器官捐贈。在澳洲器官捐贈者可把名字加進捐贈名冊, 表達自己的意願, 死後醫生可按情況,  與家人諮詢, 進行器官移植。不過由於死時狀況的限制, 適合捐贈器官的人, 只佔死亡者的百分之二, 而澳洲65歲以上人仕現時約有三分之一, 表示會加入捐贈者名冊之中 。

研究顯示, 移民加入捐贈者名冊中, 比例較低, 相信是因為移民不知道或不認識這捐贈過程。歡欣機構出版了「給他人恩典」中文小冊子, 在未來一年, 在華人社區中派發, 盼望能推廣這計劃。是的, 在我們死後, 身體每一個器官, 對我們來說都沒有用, 而且必然會腐壞, 但若捐獻出來, 則可以讓最多七、八個人的生命得到祝福。這是任何人, 不論貧富,  都可以給他人的一份禮物。

對於生命受到威脅, 要求等待到有人捐贈器官進移植才能活下去的人, 這一份禮物, 是無法形容的恩典。能夠在自己生命要結束時, 祝福別人, 是所有宗教都支持的愛心行為。

我的一位朋友曾堅持「身體髮膚, 受諸父母, 不敢毁傷」, 是把要勸人愛惜身體的道理歪曲了。我至少從未聽過有等待器官移植的病人, 因為要持守這一個信念, 來拒絕別人給他的捐獻。推己及人, 讓我們都思考, 我們能否在生命終結時, 仍給別人恩典呢?

請支持我們, 推動「給他人恩典」這一個推廣器官捐贈的行動。

周偉文 社長

Grace to Others

This Monday REJOICE organised an exhibition at Boxhill Baptist Church to promote organ donation in Chinese community. Many people have reservation on this as they believe the whole human body must remain intact on death. Only a few responded. Immigrants of some other cultural backgrounds hold similar belief. Actually from what we unearthed from Egyptian pyramids and Pharaoh’s tombs those corpses were also preserved for the purpose of afterlife. Past Chinese eunuch also buried themselves with their castrated sexual organs.

People nowadays hold different views. They do not see a future of their dead body hence more people are going for cremation as well as organ donation. In Australia who are willing to participate just register their names; upon their death doctors could proceed in consultation with their families. But due to various restrictions on death circumstances only 2% of the bodies could go down as intended for. Now about one-third of 65+ Australians have registered for this purpose.

Studies indicate the proportion of immigrants doing the registration is relatively low mainly because they do not know the process well. REJOICE publishes a pamphlet of ‘Grace to others’  in Chinese, hoping its circulation in the community over the coming year would help its promotion. Truly after we die none of the rotten organs could serve any use to us; but if they are donated, they might be able to bless 7-8 lives. This is an act of giving from everyone of us, rich or poor.

To someone in life threatening situation, a donated organ that could save a life is indeed an unbelievable blessing. If we can bless others on our death must be an act of love irrespective of any religion.

One of my friends who insisted the saying ‘The body, hair and skin are all given to parents and do not dare to be damaged’ actually is misinterpreting the teaching of ‘be kind to our body’. Nobody waiting for a donated organ would decline one on this thinking. To put us in their situation we should really consider blessing others with our dead body.

Please support us in our ‘Grace to others’ movement promoting organ donation.

Mr. Raymond Chow, The Publisher