Donor Appreciation Ceremony 2018

The theme for Donor Appreciation Ceremony 2018 was ‘Builders of Lives’. The theme indicates how organ donors - our Heroes - play a key role to rebuild lives that were once broken by organ failure. Representatives of each donor family were invited up on stage to place a brick onto the ‘house’ (backdrop), symbolising the rebuilding and completing of homes that were once broken by organ failure.

A small decorative piece indicating the theme for the ceremony.

Dr Amy Khor (Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources & Ministry of Health) - the Guest-of-Honour for DAC 2018.

As a tribute to Silent Mentors, medical students from Yong Yoo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore performed song dedications (You Raise Me Up and Heal the World) to donor families.

Parents of Ms Carmen Mark, an organ donor, shared how their daughter had always wanted to help others, including her ambition to be a nurse. In addition, Ms Mark had wanted to leave a legacy through organ donation when she passed on.

“I promised to fulfil her wish if I am around, and I really did”, ​said Mr Mark.

Heart transplant recipient, Ms Serene Lee, shared how her life was previously dependent on a mechanical heart pump. Now, she volunteers at the National Heart Centre Singapore to encourage and support other patients who are waiting for a heart transplant.

With donor families’ support, the backdrop can be completed - showing how donors rebuild the homes and families previously broken due to organ failure.