In Germany only, around 10,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant, but as many as 10 percent of those waiting will not receive the necessary care in time. However, this statistic can be changed by … a tattoo. A recognizable and characteristic painting on the body called OptInk has a chance to revolutionize transplantology.
In Germany, 84% of people support organ donation, but only 0.001% actually do it. The main obstacle is obtaining approval, which is required by law. And this can usually be obtained through a donor card, health care directive or other written declaration during the lifetime. Only few people are actually motivated enough to take care of such formal issues in the rush of life.
This was noticed by representatives of the Junge Helden and McCann organizations, who decided to act. Being aware of the fact that as many as a quarter of German citizens have some kind of tattoo, they decided to invite Berlin-based tattoo artist Gar to create an OptInk tattoo, which is to symbolize the intention (proof of will) to donate organs and tissues after death.
Source: https://junge-helden.org/optink/en
The minimalist geometric design presents interconnected semicircles, which become a whole at the intersection, symbolizing the gift of life, which is organ donation. The characteristic shapes are formed simultaneously by the letters “O” and “D”, meaning “organ donor”. The symbol was created to be recognizable, and at the same time quick and easy to make by any tattoo artist.
An initiative promoted by the Get inked. Get life campaign allows Germans to get their tattoos done free of charge at tattoo studios and events across the country. On the campaign organizer’s website, you can use the map of partner tattoo studios and search for a point close to a given region. Only in Germany so far.
So far, the campaign has already turned tattoo studios across the country into organ donor recruitment centers and registered over 100 tattoos, potentially saving up to 700 lives.
Source: https://junge-helden.org/optink/en
More about the initiative here:
