Giving the Gift of Life through Organ Donation: Chris Barry at TEDxFlourCity

Dr. Chris Barry is a transplant surgeon and researcher at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

In this talk, Chris discusses the power of modern transplant surgery to touch people's lives. He also talks about the obstacles that prevent our society from realizing its true potential to help others through organ donation. His talk resounds with a call to action.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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[Christopher Taylor Barry, MD, PhD]

Thanks for your comment jps. Actually I have performed two liver transplansplants free of charge (the patients did not have insurance but they were dying, so hospital administration covered the not insignificant costs in order to save their lives). So now you need to go register to become an organ donor and go to one other person's door to get a signature. Yes, I agree that insurance is a big problem, but I'm talking about the miracle of organ donation right now.

[sneakerbabeful]

It is so easy to register as an organ donor. When one of my gradfathers died both of his corneas were recycled and restored sight for two different people. So in a way he's still living on & "seeing" new adventures!

[DonorRacing]

Great video Dr. Barry. One of my favorites. 

[Julie Sommer Pihl]

My mum had to chose between her kidneys or me when she was pregnant 20 years ago, she chose me and has now lived with a donated kidney for 14 years. There are no costs for the organ receiver in Denmark but due to laziness people still doesn't sign up. Tmrw I'm doing a speech in my class to convince my classmates to sign up as organ donors as I am still the only one registered in a class of 27 students! Chris I loved you video it has given me a lot of inspiration for my speech, thank you so much!

[Holly Hobbie]

you're right

any treatment costs a lot of money, but getting your organs they'll do it for free. Think about how many people could be saved if the NHS was better… I know some people who don't go to the doctor because they can't afford it, but to take their organs, everyone would suddenly be glad and helpfull to do that

[Holly Hobbie]

perhaps less people (NOTE: I don't mean ALL the people) would need organs if they lead a healthier life-style. You spent your life drinking, smoking and eating crap and by the time they are 50 they find out they need some new organ.

[SusanaLeaves]

Could you imagine what the world would be if everyone thought like you do?

[Mark Miles]

They can have my organs for free when the surgeons and hospitals do the surgeries and care for free. They all make huge profits while the family of the organ donor gets nothing.

[djheckler92]

Just signed up as an organ donor. Not sure why I didn't do it before but watching this it was an easy decision.