Donation Essentials Blog
Breaking Barriers, Saving Lives: Organ Donation in the Indian American Community
Organ Donation Within Our Indian American Community
By: Nandhana Vivek
Organ transplantation is the gold standard for patients with end-stage organ failure, and its impact is nothing short of extraordinary¹. Did you know that:
- One organ donor can save up to eight lives.²
- One tissue donor can heal and save up to 75 lives.²
Yet, despite this incredible potential to offer people a second chance at life, there remains a troubling gap between the supply and demand for organs, especially in Indian communities where the organ donor rate is very low. As an American-born Indian with close family ties to India, I was stunned to learn that only 0.01% of individuals in India consent to donate their organs after death.³ That number doesn’t just stop at India’s borders, it ripples into our communities here in the United States. You might wonder, why us? After all, we make up just 1.5% of the American population.⁴ What difference could we possibly make? The answer is: more than you think.
While transplant candidates are not matched based on race or ethnicity, matching within ethnic groups (e.g., between Indian American donors and recipients) can offer increased compatibility and chances of transplant success.⁵
Adding to the urgency, Indian communities, both in India and the U.S., face some of the highest rates of hypertension and diabetes in the world.6,7,8 These chronic illnesses often lead to organ failure, driving up the need for transplants. And yet, the number of registered donors remains painfully low.
This low rate stems from a mix of cultural, familial, and perceived religious influences. The sociocultural context that creates barriers to organ donation in India often carries over into Indian American communities. To truly increase donor rates and save lives, we must address these factors. Over time, I’ve made it a personal mission to better understand these complex barriers; listening to stories, exploring traditions, conducting extensive research, exploring the literature, and learning how deeply held beliefs intersect with the decision to donate. Here are some of the insights I’ve gained along the way.
Perceived Religious Barriers: Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity
Here I use the term “perceived” because, within the Indian community we have some deeply rooted misconceptions that have often led to minimal engagement with the actual tenets and scriptural guidance on organ donation.⁹
In reality, prominent religious leaders, organizations, foundations, and sacred texts express strong support for organ donation.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of the Art of Living Foundation, emphasizes the alignment between Hindu values and organ donation:
“The concept of organ donation resonates strongly with Hinduism’s core principle of Daan (selfless giving) and Seva (service to humanity). The body is a mere vessel for the immortal soul. Donating organs to save lives is a true service to God who resides in every being.”
Similarly, the President of the National Council of Hindu Temples has affirmed:
“Organ donation is in keeping with Hindu beliefs as it can help to save the life of others.”
Hinduism and Organ Donation
Hindu scriptures such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita also uphold principles that support organ donation.
In the Bhagavad Gita (2:22), it is written:
Vāsāṁsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya
Navāni gṛhṇāti naro ’parāṇi
Tathā śarīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇāny
Anyāni saṁyāti navāni dehī
This verse describes the body as a garment that is discarded when worn out, while the soul carries on.
Some worry that organ donation could affect reincarnation or the soul’s journey. However, according to Hindu philosophy, the soul is eternal and the body temporary. Donating organs does not interfere with reincarnation; rather, the selfless act of saving lives generates positive karma that benefits the soul’s journey. Ultimately, Hinduism supports and encourages organ donation.¹⁰ ¹¹
Islam and Organ Donation
In Islam, more than 100 fatawa (religious edicts) have been issued in support of organ donation.¹²
Christianity and Organ Donation
Christianity also supports organ donation, viewing it as an expression of love and compassion. As stated in John 15:13:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
The Deceased and Funeral Practices
Another common concern is that organ donation could interfere with funeral practices.
Often, the sanctity of the body is connected to religious rituals whether it’s cremation for Hindus or the desire for a quick burial in Islam. Another concern is the fear of disfigurement due to the organ retrieval process.
However, organ donation is a very respectful process.
- Organs are recovered in a fashion that minimizes any impact on the body’s superficial appearance.
- The body remains intact and any incision marks are usually in areas that are not visible during funeral proceedings.
- Incision sites are sewn up methodically in a manner similar to living surgical patients.
Hindu religious leaders have also confirmed that organ donation does not prevent any religious rites from being performed effectively. Modern medical practices allow for efficient organ retrieval, ensuring that the process is completed quickly and the body can be prepared for a timely burial.
Familial Influence and the “Unknown Will of the Deceased”
In our culture, decisions about organ donation are rarely made by the individual alone. Family opinions, traditions, and customs often carry great weight in whether a donation actually happens.
I have seen situations where, even if someone personally wished to be an organ donor, their family’s hesitation or uncertainty became the deciding factor.
This is why conversations are so important. Without them, we risk having an “unknown will of the deceased”, where loved ones are left to make a choice without knowing what the deceased person truly wanted. In these moments, uncertainty often leads to hesitation or a default “no.”¹⁴
Organ donation represents one of the most selfless gifts anyone can give. But it only works if our wishes are both known and honored when the time comes.
That’s why we must create a culture where open, honest dialogue is encouraged, where we not only register as organ donors but also tell our loved ones why it matters to us. When families understand both the value of organ donation and the wishes of the person they have lost, it becomes much easier for them to say “yes” and honor that final act of giving.
Fear and Mistrust of the Medical System
Another widely held concern is mistrust of the medical system. Common myths about organ donation include:
- Fear of illegal organ trade
- The false notion that doctors might prematurely declare death to obtain organs
- Worries that hospitals won’t prioritize saving a patient’s life
I have witnessed this in my own family where a relative urged my parents not to register as organ donors when they applied for their driver’s license for this reason.
These fears usually stem from sensationalized news stories or dramatic portrayals in movies and TV shows. In reality, they don’t reflect how the medical system actually works.
- The medical community follows strict ethical standards.
- Healthcare professionals are committed first and foremost to saving the life of their patient.
- Physicians and care teams responsible for treating a patient typically have no knowledge of that person’s donor registration status.
Here’s an important fact that often surprises people: less than 1% of individuals die in a hospital in a way that makes organ donation possible.¹⁵
The reality is far from the fears, but those fears can still hold people back from saying “yes” to donation.
How can we bridge this gap?
Act now, there is no better time. Be the change and bridge the gap!
What you can do today:
- Sign up to be an organ and tissue donor if you haven’t already
- Have open conversations with your family about organ donation and your wishes
- Spread the word by speaking to your local community leaders and members
- If you are a healthcare professional, counsel your patients about organ donation
- Be an ambassador or advocate for the cause
Together as a community we can increase organ donor registration in multicultural communities and ensure that more lives are saved.
About the Author:
Nandhana Vivek is an Indian American advocate and researcher focused on how cultural and religious perspectives influence organ donation. She serves as Co-President of SODA at CU Boulder and has presented her work at the American Transplant Congress. Nandhana is passionate about breaking barriers and encouraging more multicultural communities to say “yes” to donation.
References:
- Reports 2010-Activities, laws and organization – GODT. (2016). GODT. http://www.transplant-observatory.org/reports/
- Middleton, J. (2023, September 21). How Many Lives Can One Organ Donor Save? Donor Alliance. https://www.donoralliance.org/newsroom/donation-essentials/how-many-lives-can-one-organ-donor-save-impact-of-organ-donation/
- India needs more organ donations as only 0.01% Indians have given consent to donate their organs after death. (n.d.). The Financial Express. https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/india-needs-more-organ-donations-as-only-0-01-indians-have-given-consent-to-donate-their-organs-after-death/2300173/
- Badrinathan, S., Kapur, D., & Vaishnav, M. (2024). Indian Americans at the Ballot Box: Results From the 2024 Indian American Attitudes Survey. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/10/indian-american-voters-election-survey-us?lang=en
- Middleton, J. (2023, August 25). Does Race Matter in Organ Transplants. Donor Alliance.https://www.donoralliance.org/newsroom/donation-essentials/multicultural-groups-donation-does-race-matter-in-organ-transplants/
- Rhee E. J. (2015). Diabetes in Asians. Endocrinology and metabolism (Seoul, Korea), 30(3), 263–269. https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2015.30.3.263
- Ramachandran, A., Snehalatha, C., Shetty, A. S., & Nanditha, A. (2012). Trends in prevalence of diabetes in Asian countries. World journal of diabetes, 3(6), 110–117. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v3.i6.110
- Singh, R. B., Suh, I. L., Singh, V. P., Chaithiraphan, S., Laothavorn, P., Sy, R. G., Babilonia, N. A., Rahman, A. R., Sheikh, S., Tomlinson, B., & Sarraf-Zadigan, N. (2000). Hypertension and stroke in Asia: prevalence, control and strategies in developing countries for prevention. Journal of human hypertension, 14(10-11), 749–763. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001057
- India – C-01: Population by religious community, India – 2011. (n.d.). Censusindia.gov.in. https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11361
- Hinduism. (2025). NHS Organ Donation. https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/your-faith-and-beliefs/hinduism/#leaflet
- Hinduism and Organ Donation – LifeCenter Northwest. (2025, May 20). LifeCenter Northwest. https://lcnw.org/hinduism-and-organ-donation/
- Islam. (2019). NHS Organ Donation. https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/your-faith-and-beliefs/islam/
- Middleton, J. (2024, January 7). Christianity and Organ Donation – Donor Alliance. Donor Alliance.https://www.donoralliance.org/newsroom/donation-essentials/christianity-and-organ-donation/
- Vincent, B. P., Sood, V., Thanigachalam, S., Cook, E., & Randhawa, G. (2024). Barriers and Facilitators Towards Deceased Organ Donation: A Qualitative Study Among Three Major Religious Groups in Chandigarh, and Chennai, India. Journal of religion and health, 63(6), 4303–4322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02148-8
- Donor Network of Arizona. (2019, January 29). Why doctors WILL NOT let you die if you’re a registered organ donor. Donor Network of Arizona. https://www.dnaz.org/why-doctors-will-not-let-you-die-if-youre-a-registered-organ-donor/
