Each year only 300 people out of a total 14,000 on waiting lists in Japan get the organ transplants they need. This is only two per cent. Organ transplant rates are far behind the rest of the world. The number is even lower for children who need transplants.
To raise awareness about this issue and to hopefully change people’s minds about organ donation, an organization called Second Life Toys is doing something cool: giving broken, much-loved, stuffed animals (recipients) a new life through donations from other animals (donors) who are loved, but not played with anymore.
This campaign is making the subject much more approachable—and definitely heartwarming. The bond between the toys is about much more than just stuffing. Separately, both toys weren’t being used anymore; but once together, both toys get to live again.
The organization seeks both recipients and donor animals. Every person who sends in his or her spoiled stuffed animal as a donor gets a letter back from the “recipient” animal and its owner, expressing thankfulness and describing how the generous act gave it a second chance at life. The aim is to bring joy to the donors as well, teaching both children and their families about the truly life-giving impact of organ transplants
There have been many success stories so far, for example: a bear with monkey boxing arms, an elephant with a squirrel’s tail for a trunk, a sheep with bear legs, a whale with some wonderful dragon wings. There will be many more too… so long as there are donors! Second Life Toys lets: “Someone’s precious toy [keep] on living as someone else’s precious toy”.
For those who have donated their toys, a special thank-you letter will be delivered by the recipients
Given the numbers for child organ transplant in Japan are even lower than those for adults, using toys to inspire people to think differently about organ donation seems like a great idea. Hopefully if enough people contribute to their cause, they can help change minds about organ transplants, and get people the help they desperately need.
Do you have any toys that you can donate to help someone else’s precious toy?
Find out more about Second Life Toys here
Sources: Second Life Toys, YouTube/Second Life and http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/05/12/japanese-company-raises-awareness-about-child-organ-transplants-by-giving-old-toys-donated-limbs/ and http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/second-life-toys-japan
Image screen grabs from http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/05/12/japanese-company-raises-awareness-about-child-organ-transplants-by-giving-old-toys-donated-limbs/
