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The Garden of Life at Kowloon Park was unveiled today (November 12) to give recognition to organ donors and their families for charitable acts of organ donation.
Characterised by special landscape design and architecture, the Garden echoes the "Light Up Lives" organ donation theme.
To increase public awareness of the importance of organ donation, the Government, in particular the Department of Health (DH), has been actively promoting organ donation with the Hospital Authority (HA), healthcare professional bodies and voluntary organisations. The establishment of the Garden of Life is one of the fruits of collaboration between the community and the Government.
Last year, a design competition was co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects and the Government. A number of government departments, professional bodies and voluntary organisations also supported the work of refining and constructing the Garden. The project was also supported by Yau Tsim Mong District Council.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the third anniversary of the launching of the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR) and the opening of the Garden of Life, the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said: "I would like to thank all relevant institutions and organisations for their participation in promoting organ donation, and the many friends for their unfailing support in this charitable act. At the same time, I call for the support of the general public to take action now and register their wish to donate organs after death at the CODR.Ħħ
As at end October 2011, there were more than 88 000 registrations at the CODR. About 300 organisations, including government departments, private companies and community groups, have also indicated their support for organ donation.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Health, Dr P Y Lam, said the CODR was introduced three years ago for the public to register their wish to donate organs after death.
"According to the preliminary results of a survey conducted by DH earlier this year, which telephone-interviewed some 2,100 people aged 18 to 64, over 95 per cent of respondents indicated that they would not object to organ harvesting if their deceased family member had previously expressed a willingness to donate organs. The finding underlined the importance of potential organ donors to register their wish early," Dr Lam said.
DH launched a dedicated fan page, "Organ Donation@HK", in Facebook this August to strengthen organ donation promotion among the younger generation.
Hong Kong has seen a generally increasing trend in the rate of organ donation over the years. According to the HA, the number of heart and bone donations reached new heights in 2010. The Administration will continue to work in collaboration with various organisations to encourage more people to join the league of organ donation through public education and promotion.
Members of the public can register their wish to donate organs after death at the CODR through the Internet (www.codr.gov.hk), by post (21/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai) or by fax (2127 4926).
Registration forms can also be obtained at public and private hospitals, Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Donation Centres, Health Centres of DH, premises of Hong Kong Medical Association, tertiary academic institutions, various non-government organisations and private companies.
More information about organ donation can be obtained at the "Organ Donation@HK" Facebook fan page, the Organ Donation thematic website (www.organdonation.gov.hk), or through DH's 24-hour hotline at 2833 0111.
Ends/Saturday, November 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:01
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