Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyerattended the introductory meeting of the Organ Transplantation Monument within the scope of the International Transplant Games, which will be held in partnership with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Rotary Club. Emphasizing the importance of the event, President Soyer said, “We see that the organ transplant donation rates increase by at least 35 percent in the countries and cities where the Transplant Games are held.”
The introductory meeting of the Organ Transplantation Monument within the scope of the Izmir International Transplant Games, which will be held in partnership with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Rotary Club, was held at Nefes Restaurant. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor attended the meeting. Tunç Soyer Nedim Atilla, the President of the International Rotary 2440th Regional Federation 2021-2022 Period, especially, Dr. Ata Bozoklar, Organ Donation Committee Chairman Merve Baykan, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General Ertuğrul Tugay, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Youth and Sports Services Department Head Hakan Orhunbilge, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Youth and Sports Club Chairman Ersan Odaman, Rotary Club members and members of the press. .
President Soyer: Izmir is the leading city in organ transplantation and donation
President Tunç Soyer“Of course, it is not a coincidence that such an event is held in İzmir. I must proudly state that İzmir is the leading city of our country in organ transplantation and donation. The International Transplant Games will further reinforce our leadership. Transplant Games have been organized in the world and Europe for more than 50 years. The aim of this event is to reveal that people who have had an organ transplant lead a normal life and are no different from anyone else. We see that in the countries and cities where the Transplant Games are held, organ transplant donation rates increase by at least 35 percent. With this data, I hope that our event will accelerate organ donation in İzmir and in our country.”
“Always gaining life”
Reminding that organ failure and related deaths started to increase rapidly with the pandemic, President Soyer said, “There are over 27 thousand patients who need organ transplantation. We are losing these souls while waiting for the appropriate organ to hold on to life. Every day, eight of our citizens die while waiting for an organ transplant. Although there are developments in organ donation and transplantation in our country, this is not enough. There is still a serious difference of 10-15 times between us and the countries where organ transplantation is developed. We have everything necessary for transport. But our donation rate is very low. Despite the statements of the Presidency of Religious Affairs encouraging organ donation, the most important obstacle is still prejudices. However, in order to donate, it is enough to be over 18 and be of sound mind. All health centers have application units for organ donation. All you have to do is fill out a form. I hope that the Izmir International Transplant Games will make a significant contribution to increasing the organ donation rates of our country and Izmir, and thus more lives will be saved. It is probable that someone will say, 'All the troubles of Izmir are over, are you still erecting a statue?'. We will continue to defend life. They said the same thing when the regulation allowing olive groves to be cut to be a mine was issued. We will continue to be on the side of life. Some will continue to oppose it. Let no one be demoralized or lose their enthusiasm, they always gain life.”
Atilla: “We are trying to break new ground”
International Rotary 2440th Regional Federation 2021-2022 Term President Nedim Atilla said, “This year, we are trying to break new ground in Rotary. Our inspiration is our President. Tunç Soyer… During his reign, so many firsts were achieved in İzmir. I am really happy and proud to be running together as we break new ground. Organ transplantation is one of the biggest problems in our country. We are getting ready to break a new ground in İzmir. Transplant Games will be held. It will be the first time in the world that an organ donation monument will be erected.”
Bozoklar: “Here is such a place in Izmir”
One of Turkey's leading names in organ donation, Dr. Ata Bozoklar stated that there are very few cities in the world that can fulfill the concept of organ donation as much as İzmir and said: “There were so many reasons for not having organ donation in Turkey. In a very interesting way, İzmir developed a reflex and embraced it with all its institutions. Everyone took part in this work and supported it. People from many parts of Turkey lived with organs sent from Izmir. People here were involved voluntarily. It wouldn't have been this nice if we had planned. Our President Tunç SoyerI want to thank you very much. I witnessed him donate organs with the passion of İzmir and the enthusiasm of Egeli. My eyes are filled with tears. Izmir is such a place. It is very valuable that a president has made this move.”
Baykan: “We are trying our best”
International Rotary 2440th Regional Organ Donation Committee President Merve Baykan stated that 27 people are waiting for organ transplants and said, "As Rotarians, we do our best to take an active role in this business." After Baykan, Osman Can and Burçin Meşe, who continued their lives with a heart transplant, appeared on the stage. Can and Meşe emphasized the importance of organ transplantation.
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