Thousands Await Organ Donations in Berlin and Brandenburg

In Germany, the decision to donate organs remains a pressing issue, with a significant number of individuals failing to make a choice during their lifetimes. This has led to a critical shortage of available organs for transplantation, prompting healthcare professionals to advocate for changes in the current organ donation system.

Franziska Bleis, a 42-year-old woman who received a heart transplant in 2022, shared her story at a press conference held in Berlin in anticipation of the upcoming Organ Donation Day on June 7. Bleis has faced severe health challenges since being diagnosed with myocarditis in 2019, and credits both her husband and her donor for her continued life, referring to the transplant as a profound gift.

As of the end of May, preliminary data indicated that 30 individuals in Berlin and Brandenburg had donated a total of 72 organs. In comparison, the entire previous year saw only 54 donors contributing 127 organs, and nationwide, the figures were even lower, with 953 donors and 2,855 organs donated in 2024. Experts highlight that these numbers fall short of the urgent need, as over 8,000 individuals are currently on the transplant waiting list.

Felix Schönrath, a senior physician specializing in heart failure and transplantation at the German Heart Center in Berlin, noted the alarming trend of patients remaining on waiting lists for extended periods, while many others are not even listed due to low transplant prospects. He pointed out that only 0.4% of eligible individuals aged 16 and over are currently registered as organ donors, amounting to approximately 319,200 entries in the registry.

Healthcare professionals are advocating for a system change to a presumed consent model, known as a 'Widerspruchsregelung.' This model would allow organ retrieval unless individuals explicitly opt out. Advocates argue that countries employing such systems see substantially higher organ donation rates compared to those requiring explicit consent.

Volkmar Falk, a heart surgeon and medical director at the German Heart Center, emphasized that many countries in Europe permit organ donation from individuals who experience cardiac arrest, a practice not currently allowed in Germany. He cited Switzerland, where implementing this policy has nearly doubled the number of organ donations.

As the conversation around organ donation continues, Bleis reminds the public of the importance of considering organ donation as an act of compassion. She urges people to reflect on the potential need for organ transplants, noting that anyone could find themselves or a loved one in need of such critical medical intervention. The ongoing discussions and proposed legislative changes aim to address the urgent need for more organ donors and improve the overall transplant system in Germany.