speech writing on eye donation

Donation Speech

Donation speech generator.

In the medical field, organ donation is common among those who are in need of organ transplant. Organ donation is a process of taking out healthy organs of a person for transplantation to another person. This process is already practiced among several countries to save the life of a person who is sick or in a near death situation. In honor of the ones who donated organs, they are given a donation speech specially dedicated to them.

6+ Donation Speech Examples

1. blood donation speech.

Size: 61 KB

2. Eye Donation Speech

Size: 81 KB

3. Organ Donation Speech

4. Donation Handover Speech

Size: 219 KB

5. Donation Acceptance Speech

Size: 110 KB

6. Donation Ceremony Speech

Size: 47 KB

7. Donation Speech for Poor

What is a donation speech.

A donation speech is communicated into the public to give credit to those who donated their body organs. This is to make people aware that donating an organ is not just an easy thing to decide. One donation of an organ can help save lives or more than an individual.

What are the Benefits of Organ Donation?

• Donating an organ helps in the consolation of a grieving family. The families of the donor make feel at ease knowing that a deceased loved one took a chance to help someone who is in great need to save his or her life. Donating an organ can save even up to eight lives. Donating eyes and tissues can help improve fifty (50) lives.
• Improvement of the quality of life. Donating something may mean giving others the chance to live and enjoy a longer life.
• It doesn’t cost anything. It is free to donate an organ.
• It feels good to see that you’ve got to improve someone else’s life by choosing to become their organ donor.
• Make a difference by imparting a very brave act of making a worthwhile legacy.

How to Write a Donation Speech?

Writing a donation speech is just like writing any other speeches. You need to follow a specific format.

Make a good opening statement . It may be in a form of question, statement or a quote.

Introduction

Your introduction must be able to grab the attention of your listeners. Tell them what is it that you will talk about.

Body of the speech

This usually has three supporting details inside the body paragraphs about the information.

Your conclusion summarizes all your ideas.

Example of a Donation Speech

Take a look at the below.

Good morning, to our honorable Principal, respected teachers and my friends.

I am _________________, and I have been given the opportunity to deliver a speech on organ donation.

Organ donation is a social act that is looked upon with honor. India follows the opt-in system for organ donation. The Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994 controls the organ donation in India. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government website gives out legal forms for those wishing to donate an organ.

Organs are the vital tissues that make our entire body function, and when a particular organ fails, it requires immediate treatment to replace it with a new and healthy organ of the donor. Common organ transplantations include heart, liver, kidney, bone marrow, pancreas, lungs, and eyes.

Some organs like a kidney, a part of the pancreas or the liver, a part of the intestine can be donated to the ones in need by a living donor. But most of the organ donations take place after the death of the donor.

Organ donation is a kind and helpful act by the donor. It can help to improve the quality of life for many individuals. An eye transplant could help a blind person view the beautiful world again. People can avoid costly routine treatments and opt for transplantations of organs by the donor.

The organs that are donated serve as tools for scientific researches and experiments. A medical student also gets to learn medical science by the aid of donated organs. Biotechnology gains a lot of service from donated organs. Thousands of patients wait for transplantation, and some donors come into their lives as a ray of hope.

Organ donation is a noble deed, but its power is still undervalued. The generous act of organ donation has gradually increased in the last twenty years and has shown excellent results in children and especially in the aged. Improvements of the results have been witnessed due to innovations and up-gradation of peri-operative management.

An organ transplant depends on the availability of human organs. Organs donated by a single person can save up to eight lives. Organ donation can be divided into three categories, which are directed donation, in which the donor gets to choose the person receiving the organ. The second is the non-directed donation; where the donor is not in the know of the person in need of organ transplantation. The third type of organ donation is the paired donation, where only the kidney is donated to the person in need.

Saving an individual’s life by donating a vital organ is not only a courageous act but a respectable one as well. There is no age bar set to become a donor. Young, adults, elderly, all can participate in this charitable process.

Prasanna. (2020). Speech On Organ Donation. Retrieved from https://www.aplustopper.com/speech-on-organ-donation/

Are we allowed to express our own opinion when making a donation speech.

Including your own opinion can make your speech interesting. It is through your opinion that you can persuade your listeners.

What point of view are we going to use when writing a donation speech?

When writing a speech, use the 1st person. Through this, your listeners would be able to know if this is in your own opinion or not.

What are the other uses of organ donation?

Many use organ donations for experiments and research purposes especially in the medical field.

Always state the positive side of organ donation in your speeches because it is indeed a noble deed for someone to decide on something greater. At the end of the day, it is still the decision of a person if he or she would be donating or not.

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Essay on Eye Donation

Students are often asked to write an essay on Eye Donation in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Eye Donation

Understanding eye donation.

Eye donation involves giving one’s eyes after death to help someone see the world. It’s a noble act of kindness and generosity.

The Need for Eye Donation

Many people worldwide suffer from corneal blindness. Eye donation can help restore their sight, changing their lives forever.

How Eye Donation Works

After a person’s death, their eyes can be donated within 6-8 hours. The cornea is transplanted to the recipient, helping them see again.

Encouraging Eye Donation

Awareness and education about eye donation can encourage more people to pledge their eyes, giving the gift of sight to those in need.

Also check:

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Eye Donation
• Speech on Eye Donation

250 Words Essay on Eye Donation

Eye donation, a noble act of charity, involves the process of donating one’s eyes after their demise, providing a gift of sight to those in need. It is a critical practice due to the high prevalence of corneal blindness, which can be effectively treated through corneal transplantation.

The Scope of Eye Donation

Globally, approximately 10 million people suffer from corneal blindness, with a significant proportion in developing countries. Despite the high demand for corneal transplants, only a small fraction of the need is met due to the scarcity of donated eyes. Hence, there’s an urgent need to promote eye donation to bridge this gap.

The Process of Eye Donation

The process is simple and doesn’t interfere with funeral arrangements, as the eyes can be removed within 4-6 hours of death. The removal procedure is quick, does not disfigure the face, and is performed by trained professionals.

The Impact of Eye Donation

Eye donations have a profound impact on recipients, significantly improving their quality of life. The restoration of sight enables them to regain their independence, contribute to society, and lead a fulfilling life.

Eye donation, an act of immense kindness, is a crucial solution to alleviate the suffering of millions living in the darkness of corneal blindness. As responsible citizens and compassionate human beings, we should promote and participate in eye donation, transforming lives one sight at a time.

500 Words Essay on Eye Donation

Introduction.

Eye donation, a noble act of charity, is the voluntary act of bequeathing one’s eyes after death to restore sight for individuals suffering from corneal blindness. This altruistic act holds the potential to transform lives, providing the gift of vision to those living in darkness.

Significance of Eye Donation

The significance of eye donation is paramount in the context of global health. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 39 million people worldwide are blind, with corneal blindness being a significant contributor. The tragedy is that many of these cases are treatable, yet due to the scarcity of donated eyes, millions continue to live in darkness. Hence, eye donation becomes a social responsibility, with the power to illuminate lives.

The process of eye donation is simple and respectful to the donor and their family. After the death of a donor, a team of trained technicians carefully remove the corneas, ensuring no disfigurement. The harvested corneas are then evaluated and preserved under stringent medical protocols before transplantation. It’s important to note that the entire process must occur within a few hours of death to maintain the viability of the tissue.

Myths and Misconceptions

Despite the simplicity and significance of eye donation, several myths and misconceptions deter potential donors. Some believe that eye donation disfigures the deceased, or that it conflicts with religious beliefs. Others fear that their eyes will be sold or misused. These misconceptions need to be debunked through awareness campaigns and education, emphasizing the ethical and professional conduct of the process.

Role of Awareness and Education

Awareness and education play a vital role in promoting eye donation. Campaigns should be designed to inform the public about the need for eye donations, the process involved, and the impact it can have on recipients’ lives. Educational institutions can play a significant role by integrating lessons on organ donation into their curriculum, fostering a culture of altruism and social responsibility among students.

Eye donation is a selfless act of giving that bears the power to change lives. The gift of sight is priceless, and the ability to bestow it is within our reach. By debunking myths and promoting awareness, we can encourage more people to pledge their eyes, illuminating the world for those who live in darkness. Let us remember that in death, we can give life, and in blindness, we can give sight.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Eyes
• Essay on Examination System
• Essay on Monsoon

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Eye donor awareness: Frequently asked questions

Who is an ideal candidate for an eye donation.

Referring to reception of the tissue, eye tissue is used several different ways, most commonly for corneal transplantation. Patients who need a corneal transplant are those who have a disease, scar, or active infection involving the cornea. The cornea is the clear part of the eye much like a watch crystal.

How many people can a eye donor help?

In addition to the cornea, other parts of the eye including the sclera or white part of the eye are used in some types of oculoplastic surgery and in glaucoma surgery. You can be an eye donor and help two or more people.

Is it possible to help someone who is completely blind?

People who are completely blind and cannot see light cannot benefit from any type of corneal transplantation.

Must an eye donor be dead?

For the most part, corneal donation comes from people who are dead. In very rare circumstances, a donor may be living. For example a patient who has an ocular tumor in the back of the eye may be able to donate the eye at the time the eye is removed. If an eye is blind and it is removed, but is healthy in the front, that cornea might also be used. There are no instances of donation between people who are living in other circumstances. Another special circumstance where a person may donate a cornea to themselves is where one eye can still see and one can't. That is very rare.

Can artificial tissue be used instead of a donor cornea?

There are types of surgery called keratoprostheses, which use artificial corneas. These are very difficult to use and are still being investigated. Probably no more than 400 or 500 of these procedures are done each year worldwide. It's used where it's impossible to get the donor cornea to take. For example, some patients with severe scarring of the eye socket, where the lids don't operate normally, might benefit from a keratoprosthesis. There are newer types of prostheses being developed to substitute for the cornea, but nothing is as useful as a human-donated cornea.

How common is corneal transplantation?

Corneal transplantation is not a new procedure. The first ones were done in the late 1800s. The first eye bank was established nearly 90 years ago. This procedure has been done routinely since the 1960s. At present, there are more than 44,000 corneal transplants done every year, making it the second-most common transplant after blood donation.

Could a living person donate an eye?

You have to discuss with the potential donor the motivation for the donation. Under ordinary circumstances, eyes are not the same as kidneys and are generally considered to need both for your best function. In circumstances where you've lost vision in an eye or you no longer see daylight, there might be exceptions, but otherwise donation would not be acceptable.

Would someone with macular degeneration benefit from a corneal transplant?

Patients with macular degeneration have a disease of the retina. The retina is like the photographic film inside a camera. It is a thin tissue that lies in the inside of the eye. Consequently, unless the cornea is also affected in some way, corneal transplantation would not help a patient with macular degeneration. There are some people who have corneal dystrophies such as Fuchs who also have macular degeneration, and they can benefit from transplantation when the cornea becomes cloudy.

Are people with glaucoma candidates for this procedure?

People with glaucoma have an eye condition where the optic nerve is being damaged, usually by pressure inside the eye that is too high. The cornea is not affected by glaucoma, but some patients will have both glaucoma and a corneal condition. Those patients may require surgery for the glaucoma and surgery for the cornea. Glaucoma is one of the factors that harms corneal transplant, so the glaucoma must be controlled before or at the time of the corneal transplant.

Would someone with diabetic retinopathy benefit from a corneal transplant?

Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, not the cornea directly, so transplant would not help unless there is also a problem with the cornea.

Does having diabetes prevent someone from being a eye donor?

Only the advanced stages of diabetes that require insulin prevent a patient from being a donor. Patients who have diet-controlled diabetes may still be eye donors. Patients who have severe forms of diabetes may donate their eyes for research rather than for corneal transplantation. Research is a very valuable mission and may lead to prevention or cure of blindness for many more than one patient.

Are corneal transplants done more frequently on elderly or younger patients?

Many patients who receive transplants are older, but the populations who are very old or very young are the populations that receive most transplants. Similarly, most of the donors are also older. The typical eye bank will accept donations from the age of 2 to 70 and donors younger than 2 and older than 70 are helpful for research tissue but not for corneal transplantation. In general, patients receive corneal tissue from donors approximately the same age or younger than themselves.

How long can the eye be recovered after donation?

It's always the sooner the better. Eye banks are allowed to set their own time frame but typically if the donor has been kept cool, the tissue may be recovered for up to 8-12 hours and then placed in special solution before 24 hours. This would allow the tissue to be used for up to seven days.

Where should you go for help on organic brain damage?

Organic brain damage, where there's no known cause for the damage, is a contraindication to corneal donation. There are many causes for organic brain damage. Among them are chronic abuses of alcohol or hardening of the arteries. Organic brain damage may lead to clinical dementia and patients with organic brain damage are usually helped through their family doctor or internist with the assistance of a neurologist.

Who is the ideal candidate for a corneal donation?

The ideal candidate is a person with corneal disease in the center of the cornea, and no other problems. The typical ideal candidate is one who has a condition called keratoconus. Patients with this condition have thinning of the central cornea to the point they can't wear glasses or contact lenses. Corneal transplant replaces that thin zone, allowing them to see. This group has the best prognosis for good vision with a clear graft. In general, good candidates have corneal conditions that need the transplant and have good ocular and physical health so they can take care of the transplant and it will survive.

What was the procedure Stevie Wonder had done at Hopkins?

The procedure that Stevie Wonder was considering is to implant electrodes in the retina area that would then pick up light and transmit it to the brain. There are some similar procedures done creating artificial retinas with electrodes implanted in the brain that help patients to tell night and day and shadowy images. These are somewhat useful in very select patients but they take a great deal of learning. They will not be widely available for many more years.

What is your opinion of Lasik Surgery?

My opinion of Lasik surgery of the eye is that is it very useful for the right people. We do Lasik surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics as do most academic medical centers.

How do you find and choose a good Lasik surgeon?

The best way to find a surgeon is talking to patients who've had the surgery or learning about the surgeon's experience both with Lasik and in ophthalmology in general. The patient needs to be careful that the surgeon they pick counsels them and examines them before surgery and after surgery.

In some circumstances patients are "co-managed." Co-management involves other ophthalmologists or optometrists who see you first and then refer you for surgery. If you are in such a situation, you should know the financial arrangements to be sure that the co-manager is compensated appropriately and that you are not being led to surgery only for someone else's profit.

How successful is corneal donation?

A corneal transplant is successful if it remains clear. Success rate is usually determined at one, two, and five years. The best success rate in one year will be 98 percent clear corneas and is usually in patients with keratoconus or other corneal dystrophies. Over time, success rates drop, so that at five years, this group would be 90 percent clear.

For all grafts, success rates are typically 80-90 percent in one year and 70-75 percent in five years, but that includes patients who are less than ideal candidates or who have problems that involve the peripheral cornea. These patients have a higher rate of corneal rejection.

How does one become an eye donor?

The first thing about becoming a donor is to tell your family. In every state it is a matter of eye bank policy that the family will be asked whether the patient wished to be a donor, even if you have signed an advance directive. When you go to the driver's license bureau in many states, you can sign a card stating that you wish to donate. The card will allow you to specify whether you wish to donate your eyes or your organs or other tissues. If you wish to donate then of course you should sign the card, but the most important thing is to tell your family and close friends about your desire to help even after you're gone.

In some states, if you die and the circumstances involve the medical examiner, such as in a car accident, then the medical examiner can authorize donation, but nowadays, every attempt is made to find your family or close friends to find out what your wishes were. So the best thing is to always tell your family. If you have questions about donation, you can contact the eye bank in your area or the organ procurement organization, sometimes called OPO or OPA, for your region. They can provide further information. In Iowa, you can sign up through the Iowa Donor Registry on the internet.

What would disallow a person to become an eye donor?

The principal things that disallow you to be a donor are things that would be regarded as unsafe for people who collect the tissue. This would include obvious conditions such as HIV positive status or AIDS, severe infectious problems such as sepsis or hepatitis that is active, which would be unsafe for technicians. The concern would be transmission of these diseases to both the technician through a needle stick or to a recipient of the transplant. There are other more rare conditions such as rabies, which the eye banks and the eye bank technicians will be aware of, but the general public would probably not know about. Every donor has their medical history screened prior to being accepted and having the tissue recovered.

Can someone who had Lasik surgery be an eye donor?

The tissue can be used for research and possibly for new forms of deep endothelial corneal transplant. Anyone who's had Lasik, PRK, RK or other corneal surgeries except for cataract surgery cannot be a donor for typical transplant purposes.

There are two concerns: The first is the new shape for the cornea will be incorrect for the new recipient. The second is these prior surgeries may keep the donor cornea from surviving the next surgery or transplantation. The healthy posterior portions of donor cornea can be used for this new procedure, DLEK (Deep Lamellar Endothelial Keratoplasty) that helps people with swollen corneas from cataract surgery or Fuchs Dystrophy.

Has consumer designation on driver's licenses been successful?

Consumer designation has been successful because it raises awareness of the public to the need for both tissue and organ transplantation. In this country we have a shortage of organs such as kidneys, hearts and livers for transplantation b/c the requirements are much more stringent than for tissue such as cornea, sclera, bone or skin. By raising the awareness, we make it possible for more people to become donors by asking their families.

One law passed in the last year has required all hospitals to notify their regional organ procurement organizations on every death in the hospital. If they don't, the government will cut off their federal funding. This has increased the number of potential and actual donors by a large amount. But nevertheless, unless the potential donor wished to donate or the family feels they wished to be a donor, their tissue and organs cannot be recovered.

What if there’s no possible donors, due to Lasik?

First of all, not everyone will have Lasik surgery because only about 25 percent of the population needs it. At the present time, less than 1 percent of the population who needs Lasik surgery has had it. There will always be people who have not had eye surgery who can be donors. It merely means we have to get the word out to everyone. People who need corneal transplants will be able to get corneal transplants.

What are floaters?

Floaters are symptoms of things in front of the eye when you know there's nothing there. They are typically found inside the vitreous cavity. Most of the time they are remnants of arteries that helped form your eye. When you get older the vitreous jelly begins to liquefy and you can see these floaters more easily. Most of the time, they are harmless, but patients who have new floaters, especially associated with flashes of light, should see their ophthalmologist for a complete dilated eye exam to rule out more serious problems such as retinal tears, detachments, or bleeding.

What are the risks of undergoing an eye transplant?

Risks of transplantation are numerous. The most common is that the transplant fails to work. At the time of surgery there are the risks inherent in surgery including infection, bleeding, and leaking of the wound so that the eye becomes too soft. But the more usual risks are that the patient will have a rejection episode. Rejection occurs when the body recognizes new tissue that doesn't belong there and tries to eliminate it. This happens about one in seven times. Most of the time it can be prevented or treated with special medications including steroids.

Other risks include glaucoma, as mentioned earlier, and problems with focusing afterward such as astigmatism or being too near or far-sighted. In general, the procedure is very successful with very rare severe complications but may need to be repeated in order to finally succeed.

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• v.2022; 2022

Eye Donation: Awareness, Knowledge, Willingness, and Barriers among Paramedical and Allied Health Science Students at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in South India

Aimanfatima kacheri.

1 KLE University, Belagavi, Karnataka, India

Rekha Mudhol

2 Prasad Medical College, BLDE Deeemed to be University, Vijaypur, India

Sanjeev Chougule

3 Department of Hospital Administration (MBA), J. N. Medical College, KLE University, Belagavi, Karnataka, India

4 Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

Sagarika Kamath

5 Manipal Institute of Management, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

Rajesh Kamath

Associated data.

Data are available from authors on request.

Visual impairments have physical, emotional, social, and economical consequences and are a crucial element influencing one's quality of life. A total of 1.285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide of which 39 million are categorised as blind. These figures are startling, given that 80 percent of known vision impairments are either treatable or preventable. Corneal transplants appear to be our best hope for resolving this problem; however, a global shortage of available donors continues to dampen efforts addressing this issue.

This two-year cross-sectional study employed a convenience sampling technique and a standardised questionnaire to survey 150 paramedical and allied health science students at a tertiary care teaching hospital and assessed the awareness, knowledge, willingness and barriers regarding eye donation.

The study revealed a 93.3% awareness rate of the donation procedure, of which 46% attributed their awareness to media sources. However, other aspects assessed had much lower awareness rates; when the eyes are donated (53.3%), optimal time period for retrieval of tissue/organ (54%), ideal part transplanted (54%), age limit not restricting donation (67%), donation by donors using spectacles (48%), confidentiality of the donor and recipient (54%), hospital having the facility of an eye bank (63%). 49 percent of the respondents were willing to pledge themselves as eye donors, and a majority of the unwilling respondents reported that familial opposition was the reason for their hesitation.

Knowledge levels appear to be below expectations, and more effort is required to ensure that knowledge is imparted to our healthcare practitioners, who will then transfer this knowledge to the population, resulting in an increase in donation rates.

1. Introduction

Eye donation involves the recovery, preparation, and delivery of donated eyes for corneal transplants and research. The first successful corneal transplant was performed in 1905, and the first eye bank was founded in 1944. Organ donation found its breakthrough when Doctor Joseph Murray performed a kidney transplant procedure in which Ronald Lee Herrick donated a kidney to his identical twin brother in 1954, making it the first-ever organ donation. He later went on to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1990. Organ donation in India is governed by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, which provides the legal structure guiding organ donation for both the deceased and the living. According to the World Health Organization, the percentage of organ donation in India is 0.01%.

Vision is the ability to perceive the surrounding world using light in the visible spectrum reflected by the objects in the environment and any diminishment of function results in visual impairment or blindness ranging from partial to complete with varying visual acuity.

According to estimates provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), someone goes blind every five seconds, which is extremely alarming when 80% of known visual impairments are either curable or preventable [ 1 ]. A total of 1.285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide of which 39 million are categorised as blind. Developing countries account for 80% of the world's blind population. The yearly global costs of productivity losses related to vision impairment from untreated myopia and presbyopia alone are estimated to be US$ 244 billion and US$ 25.4 billion, respectively, due to vision impairment [ 2 ].

A finding of the recent global survey performed on eye banking and corneal transplantation computed that there is only 1 cornea available for every 70 corneal recipients worldwide, which shows that the world is experiencing a drastic mismatch between the demand and supply of donor corneas [ 3 ].

Corneal transplantation remains the best available option for visual rehabilitation. Based on the current accessibility of donor eyes and its consumption rates, it is projected that 2,70,000 donor eyes will be needed to complete 1,00,000 corneal transplants per year in India, a fourfold increase over current donor eye availability. To overcome this scarcity of eye donors, a 3-tier community system has been proposed for India, and these are eye donation centres, eye banks, and eye bank training centres that are responsible for collecting, processing, and allocating tissue and creating public awareness as well as training and skills enhancement of eye banking personnel. The EDC is responsible for public and professional awareness of eye banks. It coordinates with donor families and healthcare institutes to stimulate eye donation to harvest corneal tissues. It also collects blood for serology and promotes safe practices in eye transplants [ 4 ].

There have been several studies carried out in the past regarding eye donation awareness among the general population. This study focuses on paramedical and allied health science students at a tertiary care teaching hospital who were chosen as they represent our country's young and well-trained cadre, who have full access to newspapers, digital media, and other sources of literature. As future healthcare practitioners, their awareness of aspects related to eye donation should be superior to that of the general public. As they pursue their medical degrees, they will be a viable source for increasing the number of eye donations among patients through patient counselling [ 5 , 6 ]. The intention of this study is to measure the knowledge, willingness, and barriers regarding eye donation among paramedical and allied health science students and thereby enhance the awareness and importance of promoting this endeavor.

2. Methodology

A sample size of 150 was determined for this cross-sectional study of paramedical and allied health science students at a tertiary care teaching hospital, and a convenience sample strategy was used to select participants and gather data.

•   Inclusion criteria: Students belonging to the DMLT, DOT, BPH, MHA, MLTC, MPH, nutrition and dietetics, and perfusion technology health sciences streams and those who are willing to participate in the study.
•   Exclusion criteria: All students belonging to health science streams not previously specified and those students that are not willing to participate in the study.

The research took place over a two-year period, from January 2020 to December 2021. Written consent and the demographic details of the respondents were obtained prior to their participation. Questionnaires were distributed to the participants and collected to be analysed over a three-month period. The standardised questionnaire consisted of 17 closed-ended questions and was divided into two sections: the first assessed participants' awareness and knowledge of eye donation, and the second assessed their willingness to donate their eyes as well as any barriers that would prevent them from doing so. MS Excel version 10 was used to compile and analyse the data, and the results were obtained using percentage and descriptive statistics.

This section describes the demographic characteristics of the respondents.

The male-to-female gender distribution in the respondent's pool was 36.67 percent to 63.33 percent as represented in Table 1 and Figure 1 .

Distribution of students according to their gender.

Student distribution according to their gender.

The age distribution of the participants was as follows: 33.3% (50) of them belong to the age group of 18–20 years, 38.7% (58) of them belong to the age group of 21–23 years, 30 of them belong to the age group of 24–26 years, 10 of the participants belong to the age group of 27–29 years, and only 2 of them are above 29+ year age group as represented in Table 2 and Figure 2 .

Distribution of students according to their age group.

Of 150 students, 110 students belong to Allied health science, 7 (4.3%) students belong to BPH, 18 (12%) students belong to MHA, 29 (19.3%) students belong to MLTC, 30 (20%) students belong to MPH, 18 (12%) students belong to nutrition and dietetics, and 8 (5.3%) students are from perfusion technology. The remaining 40 students belong to the paramedical field, of which 30 (20%) students belong to DMLT and 10 (6.7%) students are from DOT as represented in Table 3 and Figure 3 .

Distribution of students based on their respective courses.

The following section describes the findings of the study:

Out of 150 students, 93.3% (140) students are previously aware of the eye donation procedure. Majority of the students 46% (69) responded that mass media is their source of information, 26% (39) said that they got to know about eye donations through lectures, 11.3% (17) of the students gained insight through organ donation campaigns, about 3.3% (5) of students mentioned doctors as their source of information, 10.7% of students identified the hospital/clinic as their source of information about eye donations, and 2.7% (4) were not able to identify a particular source. Eighty students were aware eye donation is carried out only after death, and majority, 54% (81), were well aware of the optimal time for retrieval of eyes after death. 63% (94) of students were aware that their hospital has an eye bank, and 18% (27) knew of a person who has donated their eyes. Thirteen (9%) students responded that the whole eye can be transplanted, 4 (3%) said the lens is transplanted, and 85 (56%) were aware that the cornea is transplanted, while 42 (32%) were not aware of which part of the eye is transplanted during eye donation. 66.67% (100) of the students were unaware there is no age limit restricting the donation of eyes, and 52% (78) were unaware that people using spectacles can donate their eyes. 81% (122) were aware that eye donation requires prior consent, and 71% (106) were well aware that the donor's family will not be charged for the donation. 44% (66) were aware that eye donation can't cure all types of blindness. 54% (81) of the students were aware that the name of donors and recipients remain unknown, whereas the 46% (69) who responded “No” were unaware of the confidentiality maintained. Regarding awareness on scope of benefits from one donation 36% (54) responded that one person is benefitted, 11.3% (17) responded that more than two people are benefitted and majority 52.7% (79) responded that exactly two people are benefitted. These data are represented in Table 4 .

Participants' awareness and knowledge of eye donation.

Of 150 students, 73 (49%) were willing to pledge their eyes and 77 (51%) were unwilling to pledge their eyes. 14% (11) stated “lack of awareness,” 63% (48) stated “objection by family,” 22% (17) stated “unacceptable idea of the removal of eyes,” and 1% (1) stated that they will be born blind in the subsequent birth as reasons preventing them from registering as donors. A majority of them (37.7% (29)) attributed their response to family opposition, 13% (10) attributed it to perceived effects in the future, 27.3% (21) found the procedure complicated, 14.3% (11) feared that organs would be missed, 1.3% (1) believed the distortion of physical appearance was a barrier for eye donations, and 5% (5) found that it to be a clear violation of human rights, as represented in Table 5 .

Willingness and barriers related to eye donation.

4. Discussion

According to the findings of this study, 93.3 percent (140) of participants were aware of eye donations, which is still shy of the required 100 percent optimal result considering the healthcare background of the participants. A similar study conducted by Sushma et al. [ 1 ] among medical and paramedical students in tertiary care hospital revealed a 99.2 percent awareness rate, which is considered to be much closer to a desired result. It is necessary to make an effort to uncover knowledge and awareness gaps in students, particularly those from healthcare institutes, and to shift education from a syllabus-oriented model to a wholistic intellectual approach.

When asked about the sources of their awareness regarding eye donation, majority of the participants (46 percent) stated that the media is their primary source of information. The accelerated advancements in technology and increased access to the Internet have made it possible for the younger generation to easily gather knowledge. This demonstrates the significant impact that media has on the youth. Similarly, a study carried out by Nekar et al. [ 7 ] among dental students of KIST Medical College, Nepal revealed that 69.1 percent of the participants identified media to be their primary source of information (44.8% from television and 24.3% from newspapers). [ 7 ] Access to information is no longer an issue, but ensuring that the proper information reaches the intended audience has become a major hurdle due to the introduction of a plethora of disruptions. The intended message is lost either in translation or in the sheer vastness or amount of material disseminated. These aspects should be kept in mind, particularly while developing educational resources.

A study conducted by Williams and Muir [ 8 ] to assess the awareness and perception of eye donation among medical staff brought to light that only 0.5% of study participants knew of a person who had donated their eyes. The data from this study showed a slight improvement in numbers, with 18% (27) of the students having first-hand knowledge of someone who had donated their eye. Personal experiences create personal beliefs, and public opinion cannot be impacted for the better until we emphasise on known examples in our communities. Examples of prominent members of society who have pledged or donated their eyes can be used to inspire others to do the same.

56% (85) of the participants knew that the cornea is transplanted during the donation of eyes, which seems to be a slight improvement when compared to a study carried out by Lal et al. [ 9 ] on “Awareness of eye donation among college students of Hubli city” in which only 33% of the participants were aware that the cornea is harvested during eye donation. 44% (66) of the participants were aware that eye donation is not the cure for all types of blindness, and 52% (79) of the students knew that the scope of benefits from one donation can extend to two unsighted persons. Understanding the full extent of benefits is critical since it will serve as a powerful drive for donations. Well over 50% of the families of the deceased can be motivated to donate their eyes by a well-trained eye donation counsellor [ 10 ], and thus, it is critical that due diligence be given to the development of such skilled personnel.

53 percent (80) of the students were aware that eyes can be donated only after death, and it is much higher when compared to a study assessing awareness and willingness of eye donation among paramedical workers carried out by Rangu et al. [ 11 ], which revealed that only 38% were aware of the procedure being undertaken after death. 54% (81) of the students were aware of the optimal time within which the donor eye will have to be retrieved; that is, 6 hrs and 67% (100) of students were aware that age limit was not a restriction for eye donation. It was also observed that only 63% of students were aware that their hospital has an eye bank and 54% (81) of the participants knew that the identity of the donor and recipient would be kept confidential. Similarly, in the study conducted by Rangu et al. [ 11 ], only 40% participants knew that the donor and recipient names would remain confidential. These figures indicate that we are barely halfway of the optimal goal of achieving 100% awareness among the sampled healthcare professionals. This can be accomplished by re-emphasising the importance of interdepartmental communication and inclusion, which is critical in a diverse healthcare environment that has developed departmental silos over time.

A higher percentage of students (81%) were aware that prior consent was required and that the family would not be charged for the donation (71%). These seemingly higher awareness rates could be attributed to the fact that the participants belonged to the medical field and were routinely involved in obtaining consent prior to any procedures.

In this study, the most common reason for not pledging eyes was objection from family, which accounted for 63 percent of the respondents. This differs from similar studies carried out by Basnet et al. [ 12 ] & Williams and Muir [ 8 ] in which students attributed their refusal majorly to the lack of information and awareness, respectively. Although 49% of the respondents responded that they would be willing to pledge themselves as an eye donor, the question still remains as to how many donations would follow when the time came, given the societal and familial norms that act as barriers. India, an inherently traditional society, deems the familial unit to be a sacred institution. Many pledges may not be translated into transplants if they are left to the discretion of relatives. Fundamental religious beliefs of reincarnation dominate the majority. This reinforces the belief system in individuals who conform to the collectivism found in eastern societies, which social scientists describe as influencing decisions affecting most aspects of life. [ 13 ].

5. Conclusion

Allied health science and paramedical students are the future of our healthcare system, since they will be the pillars that sustain it, and their degree of knowledge and awareness is crucial in promoting eye donation. When these healthcare professionals are well informed about the implications and benefits of encouraging eye donations, they will in turn counsel family members to donate their eyes. Educated families will then transfer this responsibility by shaping public views, thereby building a supportive community. However, failure to transfer such knowledge can have disastrous consequences, as many potential donors may be lost. Current corneal donation rates are insufficient to meet India's transfer needs, and each missed opportunity adds to this growing quandary.

This study is extremely important as it illustrates the lack of awareness among our young healthcare professionals. Much effort is required in imparting knowledge to bring about effective change. Media is indeed a powerful tool in ensuring that knowledge is communicated in a way that has a lasting impact on the recipients and should be used in raising awareness. Similar studies are warranted to analyse the widespread lack of awareness so that it can be effectively addressed.

We take pride in family ties and social norms instilled in us by our cultural heritage, but they are inevitably a major impediment to an effective increase in donation rates. The perception of one's experiences shapes a person's belief system, and within a community, similar shared experiences tend to establish a shared belief or value system. We must endeavor to not only break stigmas but create values that will inspire benevolence and humanitarianism. Positive reinforcement such as government or private initiatives will drive behaviors that will help to foster an organ donation culture. Policies mandating a structured dual counselling process, which would include an initial request made by the attending medical personnel, followed by a referral provided by an eye bank personnel at the sources for eye donation, would be extremely beneficial in converting pledges to actual donations, as it would ensure all healthcare facilities, emergency departments, morgues, and funeral homes to actively engage in the donation [ 10 ].

Data Availability

Conflicts of interest.

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Eye Donation: Challenges in the right to sight.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are about 10 million blind persons in India – this number could double by 2020. Of these 10 million, nearly 2.5 million are blind due to corneal diseases.

Despite all measures, increase in public awareness and celebrities trying to uplift the eye donation movement, the gap between demand and supply of corneas in the country is overwhelming. Advancements in technology have not solved this issue as the number of corneas donated falls way below its requirement.

In India, corneal disease is second only to cataract for causing blindness.

What can you do?

If you decide to gift your eyes after death:

Contrary to popular belief, signing a donor card does not guarantee that your organs will be donated. The best way to ensure that your wishes are carried out is to inform your family of your desire to donate.

Hospitals seek consent of the next of kin before removing organs. Let your wish be known to your friends and relatives, who in turn must remember to honour your wish even in the time of grief.

Facts about Eye Donation :

• Cornea is the clear, transparent tissue covering the front of the eye.
• Injuries, infections, diseases, chemical burns are some of the causes of corneal blindness.
• Anyone of any age can donate eyes, even if they have undergone cataract surgery, wear spectacles, contact lenses or suffer from any systemic diseases.
• Eyes are never removed from a living person.
• Once death occurs in a family, call the nearest eye bank immediately.
• The donor need not be taken to the eye bank. The team comes and removes the cornea without disfiguring the face.
• Cornea has to be removed within 6 to 8 hours of death and can be preserved up to seven days.
• Vision can be restored with corneal transplant.

Shroff Eye Opener # 91

Today, during cornea donation instead of the earlier practice of removing the whole eyeball from a deceased person, now only a portion of the surface of the eye (cornea) is removed.

A lot of people pledge their eyes on anniversaries or some personal remembrance days. But there is no follow-up later. The purpose is lost under a cloud of social and religious taboos, myths and misconceptions, or lack of motivation among staff or ignorance among family members of the deceased. Keeping in mind the religious myths regarding eye donation, it is essential to also involve religious organizations, who have immense hold over the masses to help out in this cause as although awareness about eye donation has increased among urban populace, rural masses have still to be educated.

Myth: I’m not in the greatest health, and my eyesight is poor.

Fact: Poor eyesight does not prohibit eye donation. Only the cornea, the clear front covering of your eye, is used for corneal transplantation. Very few medical conditions automatically disqualify you from donating organs. Don’t disqualify yourself prematurely. Only medical professionals can determine whether your organs are suitable for transplantation.

Myth: My religion prohibits donation.

Fact: Most of the major religions either openly support organ and tissue donation, or support the individual’s choice at his or her time of death.

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  • Assam MyGov
  

  Though all organs of the body are equally significant, eyes can somehow be considered a little more special. It renders us vision and lets us enjoy the aesthetics that the world has to offer. However, due to several kinds of visual impairments, many people lose their vision and the world turns dark to them. We can give them the gift of light by a simple step of eye donation.

  Blindness is a major cause of concern around the world today. According to WHO, after cataract and glaucoma, blindness is mostly caused by corneal impairments. Most of these impairments are curable, specially through eye donation, which refers to donating one’s eyes after death. Just like any other body organ, the cornea of the eye can also be donated after death which will render vision to the blind.

  

  However, due to lack of awareness, social or religious reserves, etc., eye donation is yet get it’s due importance in our country. Thus, to raise awareness among the masses on eye donation, the National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed from August 25 to September 8 every year.

  Donated eyes are used to restore vision in people suffering from corneal blindness. Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. If it is impaired, vision is reduced or lost. In such cases, vision can be restored by a simple surgery called keratoplasty wherein the cornea is replaced. As of today, there is no other solution for corneal blindness than the replacement of cornea.

  
  • Anyone can be a donor irrespective of age, sex, blood group or religion
  • Anyone with cataract, long/short sightedness, operated eyes or common illnesses can donate eyes.
  • Corneal blindness can be treated by replacing the damaged cornea with a healthy donated human cornea.
  • It is essential to remove cornea from the body within six hours of the person’s death
  • Donation of eyes by one person can give vision to two corneal blind persons
  • Total procedures take 15-20 minutes. No scar or disfigurement is left in the face of the donor
  • Eyes cannot be traded in any way. It is a punishable offence.
  • Identity of both donor and receiver is kept anonymous
  • All facilities for eye donation are provided free of cost at govt institutes and NGOs
  • Willing persons may get themselves registered at an eye bank. After their death the eye bank must be informed and their team will come over to extract the cornea
  
  • Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO), GMCH (Ph no: 9678002222)
  • Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar (smcassam.gov.in)
  • Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh

  Needless to say, eye donation is truly a divine deed. What can be more noble than giving someone the gift of light and let them see the world in colours? However, many misunderstandings Android misbeliefs come in the way of this noble deed. Let us all pledge to eliminate the misbeliefs surrounding eye donation and raise awareness on the issue.

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  We are Eye Bank Association of India Help us to help change someone's life by pledging your eyes, Gift them sight - give them life

  Sight Ambassadors Aishwarya Rai Amitabh Bachan Zakhir Hussain

  Late (Former) Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi & his family pledged their eyes and the occasion is observed as Eye Donation Fortnight between August 25th and September 8th, September 8th being Eye Donation.

  

  Aishwarya Rai

  I believe i can continue to live after i am gone by donating my eyes

  write to me

  

  Amitabh Bachan

  Your pledge will help someone to see, for eyes are the heart beat of life

  

  Zakhir Hussain

  Go ahead, pledge your eyes and give sight to people who need them

  What People Say's About Eye Donation

  We should come forward to donate our eyes. Let's overcome the superstitious beliefs and try to make change in someone's life. When you are donating your eyes, you are giving life to someone. I have pledged my eyes.

  Rajinikanth Cine Actor

  Alarmel Valli Bharatanatyam Dancer

  Hariprasad Chaurasia Classical Flautist

  

  Maj. Gen. Dr. J.K.S. Parihar, SM, VSM** (Retd.)

  

  Dr. Sujata Das

  Our resources.

  Prepare an Appeal for eye-donation with the help of the following points : (i) Prepare an effective slogan. (ii) Use a logo/picture chart. (iii) Advantages of eye donation. (iv) Make a persuasive appeal.

  Appeal for eye donation sight is a great blessing of god. the world seems colourful only because of eyes. it is a fact that a lot of people are unable to see. they do not have this great blessing. most of them have no problem in the functioning. they just need to replace their eyeballs. this replacement can bring colours back to their life. it is well-known fact that eyes can be used after the death of a person. people have to convince themselves that they are going to help someone for the whole of their lives. such a donation can totally change the life of a person. people should not hesitate in making such choices. what you have to do is just to make a wish that your eyes must be donated to someone after your death. as a chairman of the public health committee, i appeal to all of you to take part in this noble cause to make the society more healthy and colourful. kindly spread awareness in your social circle and convince your family and friends to be a part of this noble cause. thanks.

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  How to Write a Speech for a Nonprofit Fundraiser: Tips & Examples

  • February 2, 2024
  • 10 Comments

  These tips for writing fundraising speeches include a real example of a successful inspirational speech for a charity. I share the actual talk my Little Sister and I gave at a Big Sisters Fundraising Gala in Vancouver, BC, Canada. We received a standing ovation and raised more money for our charity than the planning committee hoped for!

  Writing a strong, meaningful speech for an inspirational charity or nonprofit organization requires heartfelt emotion and true stories of healing, support, and love. There is a great deal of competition for people’s time, energy and money. Hundreds of excellent, helpful, service-oriented nonprofit charities are trying to raise finances and other forms of support.

  I’m a volunteer Big Sister with the nonprofit organization Big Sisters/Big Brothers (which is almost worldwide). My “Little Sister” is now 22 years old. We were officially matched when she was 11. The Big Sisters organization asked us to give an inspirational speech at their annual fundraising gala with Big Sisters at a posh hotel function in Vancouver.

  The following three tips will help you learn how to write persuasive stories, write an inspirational speech for your organization, and feel confident that you’re doing the best you can to raise funds and support the people who benefit from your nonprofit. nonprofit organizations.

  After these three tips, my true story and example of an inspirational speech will further explain and describe how to write a fundraising speech for a charity event.

  3 Tips for Writing Inspirational Speeches

  Remember to infuse your speech with passion and optimism. Appeal to the values and aspirations of your audience, and don’t forget to express gratitude for their potential support.

  1. Ask one of your nonprofit’s recipients to tell a compelling story

  Share a story that connects emotionally with your audience. Share a real-life example or personal experience (such as my story in the sample speech below) that highlights the impact of your organization’s effect on people.

  Most importantly, ask someone who has actually been helped by your organization to share their story. First-hand narratives are more interesting and relatable. They are irrefutable proof that your nonprofit’s contributions make a tangible difference in someone’s life. This personal touch creates a stronger emotional connection, encouraging people to get involved, donate money, and support your organization.

  2. Hi ghlight your organization’s achievements and goals

  Outline your nonprofit’s achievements. Be passionate and excited at how far you’ve come! This won’t be superficial or fake passion if you ask someone who is truly grateful for your nonprofit organization and will share their story during your fundraising speech.

  Also, make sure you are emphasizing the positive impact your nonprofit has had on individuals or communities. Paint a vivid picture of what your organization has accomplished and the positive change you aspire to bring going forward. This helps instill confidence in potential donors, showing them that their support will contribute to your nonprofit and the people’s ongoing success and growth.

  3. Clearly articulate your nonprofit’s need

  Finally clearly communicate why your organization nonprofit needs financial support. What will you do with the money or other resources?

  Break down the specific areas where funds are required and explain how these resources will be allocated. Are you hoping to fund a specific project, expand outreach efforts or support ongoing operations that are working? Be transparent. This helps donors understand the concrete impact their contributions will have. Your honesty fosters trust and commitment.

  Below is the inspirational speech my Little Sister and I gave at a fundraising gala dinner (not quite a “charity ball”, but close). In the speech I shared what it’s like being a Big Sister. Below, I break the speech down into specific parts so you can use the format as a sample inspirational speech for your own charity event.

  If your nonprofit doesn’t blog, read How to Start an Inspirational Self-Help Blog to Inspire and Encourage Others .

  Example of a Fundraising Speech for a Nonprofit Organization

  Speaking at this charity event taught me that the most inspirational speeches and best fundraising ideas have to involve sharing how your charity or nonprofit organization actually affects people’s lives. Weave true, heartfelt stories, emotions, and touching experiences into your inspirational speech. Include real people who have benefitted from your nonprofit organization or charity – people who are sincerely grateful for your work.

  Use the details I highlighted in bold as hints that will make your own inspirational speech and charity event excellent.

  We got a standing ovation after we spoke at this fundraising gala dinner, by the way! It was AWESOME. At the end of my inspirational speech, I share a link to an article about public speaking tips. Also, Big Sisters’ goal was to raise $210,000 for the charity, and they succeeded. 🙂

  And that’s your first tip for raising funds for a charity:  Know how much money you want to raise. Be bold, and don’t be shy about asking for money for your nonprofit organization.

  Speaking at a Big Sister’s Fundraising Dinner for Charity

  Word for word, this is the inspirational speech I gave at the Big Sisters Fundraising Gala.

  Hi everyone, I’m Laurie, and this is my BIG Little Sister, Sarrah.  (note to reader: this is funny because my Little Sister is physically bigger and taller than I am. Ha ha!).

  How this charity changed my life

  Without the Big Sisters organization – and all the sponsors, volunteers, staff, and board members – I would never have met my Little Sister Sarrah. And I would’ve missed out on one of the highlights of my whole life: being a Big Sister.

  Without Big Sisters, I would have also missed out on being a Little Sister! When I was 11 – about 32 years ago, give or take a few dozen years – I had my own Big Sister. We were matched for about a year, before I moved to a different city. Even though we were only together for a short time, my Big Sister changed my life. I’m not even sure what she did or how she did it. It was just that she made time for me and listened to me.

  My Big Sister made me feel good about myself, and I am 100 per cent certain she changed my life in ways I can’t even comprehend. My mom struggles with schizophrenia and I’ve never had a father in my life, and having a Big Sister made me feel happier, more confident, and more loved.

  What this inspirational charity does for girls and women

  I believe Big Sisters changes girls’ lives by making them feel valuable, special, and unique.

  The more confident and loved a girl feels, the more likely she’ll make good decisions that help her succeed. And it’s not just individual and families who benefit from – the whole community is positively affected when girls make smart choices! So, I was wrong when I said I’m not sure how my Big changed my life. It was simply that she changed how I saw myself and how I felt about myself. This in turn changed how I saw and interacted with the world.

  The beauty is that a Big Sister doesn’t have to be university educated, or be young, or cool, or trendy, or wealthy – she just has to have an extra couple of hours a week to spend with a girl.

  What life would be like without this charity

  This is an important part of an inspirational speech at a charity event: what if the organization didn’t exist?) If I didn’t have a Big Sister, I don’t know if I would have become a Big Sister myself. For me, it just seemed like a “no brainer.” But, even though I know firsthand how powerful it is to have a Big Sister, I was a bit worried about committing to a year – or more!- to being a mentor.

  Problems or worries faced by the volunteers, charity, or organizers of the fundraiser

  My biggest worry was that my Little and I wouldn’t connect. Spending 2 to 4 hours together once a week is a big commitment – what if we didn’t like each other? What if we had nothing in common? I feel so lucky to be paired with Sarrah. Our Big Sisters counselor, Michelle, did a wonderful job matching us.

  The first time we ever met was in a park right beside her home. Sarrah’s mom brought homemade cookies and fresh fruit, and I was so touched at her thoughtfulness. I brought my dog Georgie, because I thought she’d help break the ice. I was right; the ice was broken and has stayed broken the whole time!

  Successes (every inspirational speech needs hope and joy!)

  Sarrah is so smart, curious, interesting, and fun to be with. She’s open to trying anything and everything, and looks on the bright side of everything that happens. She takes after me that way! I’m particularly impressed that Sarrah is so willing to try new things, because she was isolated for the first few years of her life. She didn’t’ go to school until grade two, and now she’s getting A’s in grade seven. I love that she wants to be a doctor or a writer when she grows up – and I’m encouraging her to be both.

  Specific examples of how the charity operates

  We’ve done lots of fun things together, as you can see from our photos…but my favorite is walking our dogs at Ambleside beach and getting a slurpee. Sarrah’s favourite slurpee flavour is everything all mixed together or when I was growing up it was called“Swamp Water”, and mine is plain old coke and Dr Pepper. So far, slurpee flavours is the only thing we disagree on! We talk a lot, and Sarrah has shared challenges she faces at school with her friends. She’s also talked about the changes she’s experiencing in her life, and I love being a sounding board for her.

  One of my best memories is when I gave Sarrah the choice between doing two super fun fantastic activities. She said she didn’t care what we do, she just wants to spend time together. That was one of the most beautiful, kindest things anyone has ever said to me! I feel the same way about her – it really doesn’t matter if we’re walking the dogs, surfing the waves or packing a Christmas Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child . It really is good to just be together.

  Why this nonprofit organization is so important

  The biggest change I’ve seen in Sarrah is her increased confidence in herself. When we were first matched, our first outing was the Big Sisters picnic in Stanley Park – in the pouring rain! Sarrah was so shy and quiet, and she spoke so softly that people couldn’t hear what she was saying.

  Now, I am so proud of how confident she is. When we were at the library last week working on our speeches, she went to the librarian by herself to ask for a guest pass for the computer. Before, she would’ve been too shy to do this alone. She takes the bus by herself now, and even has a job delivering papers. Her first job!

  Conclude the inspirational speech with an “ask”

  Being a Big Sister is amazing – and I’m so grateful to the Big Sisters organization and all its supporters, volunteers, staff, and sponsors. Because of you all, Sarrah and I have a friendship that neither of us will ever forget. I look forward to many more years walking alongside Sarrah as she enters high school, starts thinking about boys as more than pests (which I hope doesn’t happen for a long long time!), and drives me to the 7-11 for our slurpee breaks.

  Thank you! Thank you so much for making such a Big difference in our lives, and for giving me and Sarrah the gift of friendship.

  Are you stuck for ideas on how to write a fundraising speech? Read Practical Tips and Writing Inspiration for When You Can’t Write .

  Summary of an Inspirational Speech

  In your charity fundraising speech, describe:

  • How and why your charity is life-changing, both specifically and generally
  • The challenges your charity has overcome, or is overcoming
  • The successes you’ve faced as a charity or an individual
  • End your inspirational speech with an ask for a specific amount of money. Don’t be shy about asking for money – that’s what charity events and fundraising galas are for.

  This inspirational speech is from my heart, which is what made it work. If you’re giving a speech at a charity event, write it from the very core of you! The more authentic and sincere you are, the better your fundraising efforts, inspirational speech, and charity event will be.

  Why are you searching for charity speeches? Feel free to share your nonprofit organization’s information here — including what you’re raising money for. This is a good and safe place to practice your fundraising efforts 🙂 Feel free to share links to your organization or charity event.

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  10 thoughts on “How to Write a Speech for a Nonprofit Fundraiser: Tips & Examples”

  Thanks for these tips. I’m trying to convince the manager of our nonprofit to approve a fundraising dinner, but she thinks it’s too expensive. The costs will outweigh the benefits of an organizing a dinner with speeches, she says. I really think we should try it because our charity hasn’t done it before, and I know our clients will be willing to participate. How do I convince my supervisor to approve a fundraiser?

  Good question, Jeremy! I understand your manager’s hesitation because sometimes it can look bad for nonprofits to spend alot of money trying to raise funds. It can look like a misuse of the money the organization has, even though it’s money well spent.

  Convincing your manager to approve a fundraising dinner requires a strategic approach.

  Here are three pieces of advice:

  1. Prepare a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis that outlines the potential expenses and the expected returns. Clearly demonstrate how the investment in the fundraising dinner aligns with your nonprofit’s goals and mission. Break down the costs, including venue, catering, and any other expenses, and juxtapose them with the anticipated revenue from the event. Highlight additional benefits beyond financial gains, such as increased community engagement, brand visibility, and the opportunity to connect with potential long-term donors.

  2. Be creative! Showcase the uniqueness and innovation behind organizing a fundraising dinner. Since your charity hasn’t done it before, emphasize the novelty and the potential for creating a memorable experience for participants. Highlight how a dinner event can provide a platform for networking, community building, and sharing the organization’s mission in a more personal and interactive way. Emphasize how this approach can set your charity apart from others, attracting attention and support from a broader audience.

  3. If you know your clients are willing to participate, use their enthusiasm to your advantage. Collect testimonials or statements from clients expressing their support for the fundraising dinner. These testimonials can serve as powerful evidence of community backing and the potential impact of the event.

  Additionally, propose involving clients in the event itself, whether through testimonials, personal stories, or participation in some aspect of the dinner. This not only adds authenticity to the event but also creates a stronger connection between the donors and the cause.

  By combining a solid financial argument with a focus on innovation and client engagement, you might be able to convince your manager that a fundraising dinner with an inspirational speech will be profitable for everyone.

  Nonprofit Writing – How to Write a Donation Letter to Raise Money

  Include a story – tap into the reader’s emotions. The donation letters I’ve written included stories about sick babies, hospitals in need of new medical equipment, and people losing their lives to disease. I interviewed patients, doctors, and nurses, and share their experience from their point of view. Here’s a snippet of a donation letter that asked for money for incubators for the hospital — it’s from a mother’s perspective: “I cried so much that first week. Not only was childbirth stressful, coping with a serious case of jaundice was almost too much! I couldn’t hold my baby unless I was feeding her. I felt scared and helpless.”

  Be dramatic, and use powerful “please help us” words. At first, nonprofit writing – especially writing donation letters – may seem false and overly dramatic! But, that’s how nonprofits encourage people to donate. My hospital clients encouraged me to write sentences such as, “Funding for this hospital is literally a matter of ‘life and death’ – and your family could be next,” and “I was one of many new mothers who felt helpless and frustrated. You don’t realize how powerless you are as a parent until your baby has to wait for an incubator.” It felt over the top at first, but I understand the need to impress upon potential donors with strong writing. A weak, timid request doesn’t help nonprofits raise money.

  Use italics, bold font, and underlining. Set your most powerful sentences apart by centering them and leaving white space around them. Use italics, bold font, and underlining to specifically ask for money in the donation letter. Here’s a sentence that I bolded, underlined, and set apart: “I ask you to give a gift to this hospital to alleviate the need I saw at the hospital – and keep ensuring the best care is given.”

  Tie the donation letter to a holiday or special occasion. The hospital I write for sends their donation letters on Mother’s Day, Christmas, Easter, and hospital anniversaries. It’s more effective to connect your request for money with a heartwarming occasion – especially if a personal story can be naturally woven into the theme of the holiday.

  Keep the donation letter short. Two pages should be more than enough to share a story, explain why the nonprofit needs to raise money, and make the request. People don’t have time to read long letters, and they may never get to the end of the letter – where the final appeal for money is made.

  Make it easy for readers to donate money. Include a tear-off slip at the end of the donation letter, giving people the option to donate different amounts of money. Include tax credit information, a contact name and number for donors who want more info, and different ways to make a donation.

  Great article Laurie! A few other tips for nonprofit fundraising letters and speeches:

  – Tie your ‘ask’ to something specific. For example: “Your $35 donation will feed a hungry child for a week.” – Include something in the letter that encourages the reader to respond, even without a gift. For example, several of the hospital clients I write for encourage donors to sign and return a special Holiday Card to display and brighten the hospital for patients at Christmastime. Most people will include a gift with the card, but might not have responded without it. – There is a place for longer letters. As a fundraising account director, I found that longer letters (4 pages) worked well for some clients — usually when prospecting for new donors to their cause. It all depends on the story, the cause and how much information is needed make a compelling case for support.

  I’m the founder and CEO of Frankel Foundation For Diabetics, an NGO to serve, support and advocate for children, adolescence and adults living with diabetes and their families in Ghana, West Africa. Its less than a year old. It’s in honor of my mom and my 15 year old son who are both diabetics. And am also diabetic. Ill be launching it in Worcester, Massachusetts and looking for a sample speech for our fundraising event. I love your inspirational speech. Very heart touching.. God bless you.

  Hi I have a speech to give tomorrow in a charity dinner in church, we’ve been planing for three months now .We are called Society of St Vincent de Paul at St Denis catholic church Bariga in Lagos . My mission tomorrow is to drive words into their soul and sparkly that nerve of charity i know exists in us all.

  Thanks for this write up , though not exactly what i need but it has shown me how i need to work hard to get a convincing speech to touch my audience

  How did your speech go, Ifeanyi? Were you nervous giving the speech, or did you find the charity dinner surprising in anyway?

  I hope it was great 🙂

  Hi. I am glad I found your article because I am just getting into motivational speaking, and I wanted to know how to write my speech. My friend has a nonprofit organization, and she will need me to be her inspirational speaker. Do you have any more tips?

  Susan, thanks for your information.

  I hadn’t thought about the language and geographic barriers when writing donation letters…this is great to know.

  I’ve written email appeals for nonprofits, and with email, it’s even more important to keep things short and have a clear to action (usually a hyperlinked request for donations that takes the reader directly to the donations page). Storytelling is a powerful way to appeal to the reader’s emotions, but unfortunately, some nonprofits have a tough time collecting those stories.

  For instance, my main nonprofit client offers programs in developing countries, so there’s a language barrier and also a geographic barrier between the people working in the trenches and the ones in the headquarters writing creative briefs. Sometimes there are confidentiality issues as well. In cases where we can’t get a brand new story, sometimes we’ll use statistics to put things into context and demonstrate the severity of the situation. (For instance, “every XX seconds, a child dies of the preventable, yet deadly disease known as malaria.”)

  

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  A mega-gift for an HBCU college fell through. Here's what happened — and what's next

  Bill Chappell

  

  Florida A&M University announced a "transformative" donation earlier this month — but the school said it ceased contact with the donor after questions arose about the funds. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images hide caption

  Florida A&M University announced a "transformative" donation earlier this month — but the school said it ceased contact with the donor after questions arose about the funds.

  Transformative financial donations don't come along often in higher education. So when a donor promised a $237.75 million gift to Florida A&M University, school officials were understandably excited.

  The donor was Gregory Gerami, a 30-year-old businessman from Texas who said he wanted to make sure the historically Black school's windfall would help students who needed the money most. Funds were also designated for FAMU's athletics department.

  "This is more than $100 million more than we have currently in our endowment," FAMU President Larry Robinson said as he unveiled the donation at the school's spring commencement ceremony in Tallahassee, Fla. "This is just incredible."

  But amazement at the large gift soon gave way to shock as questions arose about Gerami's donation. And as word of the surprise donation spread, FAMU leaders were confronted with news reports that linked Gerami to an earlier transformative gift to another school — a donation that never came to fruition.

  

  Nation's Largest HBCU Sees Record-Breaking Donations

  In an interview with NPR, Gerami refused to confirm or deny his role in that earlier donation to a university in South Carolina. As for FAMU, Gerami says he fulfilled his part of the arrangement.

  But FAMU's Robinson now says it was a mistake to accept Gerami's gift — and the school's board wants to know why Robinson and a small circle in his administration agreed to keep the donation a secret.

  The fallout has begun: Robinson said last Wednesday that Shawnta Friday-Stroud, who as the vice president for university advancement played a key role in the donation, was resigning from that post. She will retain her job as dean of the school of business and industry, he said.

  Mysterious graduation speaker announces a massive gift

  Gerami announced the donation during a May 4 commencement ceremony, in an elaborate event where he delivered a fairly standard graduation speech — before giving Robinson a belt buckle and saying he should buckle up for what was coming.

  As a gigantic nine-figure check was brought onto the stage, the PA system played a montage of songs, including The O'Jays' "For The Love of Money" and "Grateful" by Hezekiah Walker.

  About the $237.75 million donation, Gerami told the crowd: "By the way, the money is in the bank."

  Friday-Stroud later said that Gerami's speech was his idea. And last week, Robinson, the university president, apologized for the event, saying it's something that should not have happened.

  The university has removed the video of the commencement from its YouTube page, along with other mentions of the donation from its website and social media channels.

  

  Gregory Gerami stands with Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson and other leaders at a commencement ceremony on May 4, unveiling a large donation. Robinson now says the announcement shouldn't have happened. FAMU/Screenshot by NPR hide caption

  Gregory Gerami stands with Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson and other leaders at a commencement ceremony on May 4, unveiling a large donation. Robinson now says the announcement shouldn't have happened.

  How the events unfolded

  After the May 4 commencement, skeptics such as Jerell Blakeley, writing for the Education News Flash Substack on May 6, raised questions about Gerami, highlighting news reports connecting him to at least one earlier big college donation that fell apart.

  FAMU then put the donation on pause, with Kristin Harper, chair of the board of trustees, stating in a public meeting on May 10 that "serious concerns have been raised regarding the validity of the gift, the adequacy of the due diligence processes and whether the foundation board and board of trustees have been provided ample oversight opportunity."

  Last week, Robinson said engagement with Gerami had "ceased," and he began referring to the gift as a "proposed donation" that was stopped in its tracks.

  As the school's foundation and board of trustees held public Zoom meetings to discuss the matter, more details about the donation emerged:

  • While Gerami said the money was "in the bank," Friday-Stroud said the donation was made in the form of 15 million shares of stock in Batterson Farms, Gerami's privately held company.
  • As for the gift amount of $237.75 million, Friday-Stroud told FAMU's foundation on May 9 that the sum reflected the stock being valued at $15.85 a share. But in that board meeting, it also emerged that FAMU did not have a third party analyze the valuation.
  • When asked why FAMU hadn't independently verified the stock's value during discussions about the donation, Friday-Stroud said a decision was made to hold off on a third-party valuation of the stock until the university's annual financial audit, scheduled for early summer.
  • Friday-Stroud said that she and Robinson were among the people who signed nondisclosure agreements requiring them to keep the donation secret from other leaders. She also cited donors' rights to privacy and confidentiality under state law.
  • Robinson says he didn't tell the chair of either the school's foundation or board of trustees, who have legal and financial oversight for the institution, because he was worried that doing so might "jeopardize this transformational donation."

  Friday-Stroud told the foundation board that Gerami contacted the university in the fall of 2023 about making a donation. After an initial wealth screening review, she said, "a more expansive second screening" of Gerami made the small circle of FAMU officials aware of potential concerns — "pretty much all of which is what has been put out now in social media," she said, seemingly referring to reports alleging Gerami was linked to failed donations to South Carolina's Coastal Carolina University and another school.

  HBCUs have been underfunded by $12 billion, federal officials reveal

  But around the same time officials became aware of those allegations, Friday-Stroud said, Gerami's stock certificates were transferred to the university's account. She and Robinson discussed the matter and chose to move forward, she said. The school recently released the gift agreement it signed with Gerami, listing the transaction as taking place in April.

  "I wanted it to be real and ignored the warning signs along the way," Robinson told the board of trustees on May 15. But it wasn't until after the donation was announced, he said, that he decided "engagement with Mr. Gerami should cease."

  "I take full responsibility for this matter and ensuing fallout. I apologize," Robinson said.

  Board members are now seeking an investigation into how the donation became a debacle , including the university president's failure to disclose the deal to the board before commencement, the nondisclosure agreements, the donor-vetting process, and other questions about who knew what about the deal, and when.

  Gerami responds to the allegations

  "The stock was transferred [to FAMU] and that's really all that I have to say," Gerami said in an interview with NPR, adding that his gift agreement with FAMU was made public .

  He also said he's the subject of stories that are inaccurate, without identifying any information that was incorrect.

  His remarks to NPR are in reference to news stories that emerged in 2020, when Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., announced a $95 million donation pledge. But within a few months, the school said it had "ended its relationship with an anonymous donor who .... has not fulfilled an early expectation of the arrangement."

  In an email to NPR, the university refused to confirm or deny the donor's identity. But The Sun News in Myrtle Beach, S.C., reported that the donor was Gerami, citing data gained from a Freedom of Information Act request, its own research and multiple interviews with him.

  "Gerami reluctantly confirmed he was the donor," the paper reported last June, adding that in Gerami's telling, he pulled the plug on the deal because he felt disrespected by some Coastal Carolina officials, alleging racism in one instance.

  When NPR asked him about the Coastal Carolina University donation, Gerami acknowledged knowing about the gift, which he called "a planned gift."

  He also gave NPR conflicting accounts of what his ties to the gift were. At one point, he said "I don't know who the donor at Coastal is" and "There's no documentation to show that I'm the donor at Coastal." Moments later, he said "I'm not going to confirm or deny that I'm the donor at Coastal."

  Coastal Carolina's initial statement about the proposed gift, which is no longer on its website, said its new donor was also a supporter of Miles College , a private HBCU in Alabama. But, The Sun News reported last year, "Gerami said a planned donation to Miles College was also never made."

  Officials from Miles College did not reply to NPR's requests for comment.

  

  Code Switch

  For black college prospects, belonging and safety often top ivy prestige.

  When NPR asked Gerami why — if he wasn't the donor at Coastal Carolina — he didn't seek a correction to last year's Sun News article, Gerami replied, "that story did not carry much weight ... it didn't pick up much traction. ... So why would I feed into that traction? ... I didn't feel like I needed to jump in there."

  "I have no issues with Coastal," he said. Later, he added, "I don't have any issues with anyone that is out there. So no, I'm not going to touch on things just because somebody writes a story."

  When asked how he feels about FAMU ending its plan for a donation from him, Gerami replied, "Things are being taken out of context." He ended the conversation shortly afterward.

  What we know about Gerami's business

  In his speech at FAMU, Gerami said he had overcome "formidable challenges," including being born with an opiate addiction and fetal alcohol syndrome and diagnosed with cerebral palsy and ADHD. He was raised by a foster family, he said, after being born to "a single mother who was 24 with eight kids," according to NPR's transcript of the now removed video.

  In portions of their commencement-day remarks that closely echoed each other, Gerami and Robinson mentioned two mentors: an unidentified Merrill Lynch banker; and a former Arlington, Texas, mayor named Robert Cluck (who did not reply to NPR's requests for comment).

  In 2015, Gerami ran for public office, challenging an incumbent city council member in Arlington, Texas. He finished a distant fourth , trailing a university student and a part-time mail carrier.

  Then, in recent years, came reports linking him to eye-popping college donations.

  At FAMU, Gerami didn't go into much detail about how he purportedly accrued a fortune. He said only that he had harnessed his "entrepreneurial spirit, transforming a small lawn care business into a successful property management company" before becoming the founder and CEO of Batterson Farms Corp.

  Batterson grows industrial hemp in warehouses, using hydroponics, Gerami said during this speech. The venture also researches bioplastics and "cultivating industrial hemp for cancer research," he added.

  Batterson Farms has a website , but it offers few details about the company's scale. The only available product it lists is HempWood, a composite material produced by a company in Kentucky that says all its hemp fiber is grown within 100 miles of its location in that state. NPR reviewed Batterson Farms' public Facebook page and records from the Texas Department of Agriculture to learn more about Gerami's company.

  On its Facebook page, Batterson Farms displays its license as a hemp producer in Texas. The company also says it operates multiple Texas locations, including in Van Horn; the Dallas area; Austin; San Antonio; Houston; and El Paso. In April 2023, Gerami was featured in a news story in Lubbock, Texas , saying his company had taken control of seven warehouses on 114 acres of land to grow hemp there.

  In response to a records request from NPR, the Texas Department of Agriculture Hemp Program said on Monday that it has a contact address for Batterson Farms in San Antonio, and a business address in Austin, and that there is "no registered hemp production" at those locations.

  The state agency confirmed that Batterson Farms has a current hemp producer license (the first step in the state's commercial hemp licensing process ), and a lot crop permit, both of which are tied to an address in Paradise, a small town in Wise County, northwest of Fort Worth.

  "A Hemp Producer is required to purchase a lot crop permit anytime they plan to grow hemp under the TDA Hemp Program. A lot crop permit is good for one hemp crop," according to the Texas agriculture department, which also confirmed that this location is registered to grow hemp.

  "Batterson Farms Corp does not have any other license or permit with the TDA Hemp Program," the agency said. The company isn't on the state's most recent list of hemp processors, for instance.

  The agency also said that it "does not have any information for [Batterson Farms] locations in Van Horn, TX; Dallas County, TX; Houston, TX; or El Paso, TX."

  The available information provided few details about whether Gerami's company is operating at a scale making its stock worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

  At the time of publication, Gerami had not responded to NPR's request for more information about his donation and his business.

  What does this mean for Florida A&M University now?

  It's an embarrassing setback for FAMU, at a time when its leaders are touting the school's successes as one of the country's top HBCUs and in fundraising and sports.

  HBCU institutions have been getting more money as donors realize their importance in preparing Black Americans for success, Amir Pasic, the dean of Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, told NPR. In his view, it makes sense to invest in a school like FAMU.

  "Spelman in particular just a few months ago got a $100 million gift," he said. "And Mackenzie Scott has been investing in HBCU and community colleges as well."

  

  Goats and Soda

  Mackenzie scott is shaking up philanthropy's traditions. is that a good thing.

  But, Pasic added, the school should have been alerted to a potential problem due to how quickly the mammoth gift proposal took shape, in only about six months.

  "It is rare that these gifts aren't part of a long-term conversation that donors have had over multiple years and sometimes even decades with the university," he said, particularly from a first-time donor.

  Pasic said he agrees that the now-canceled donation would have been "transformative" for FAMU. He also has ideas about the fallout for FAMU and what its leaders should do now.

  "It's something of an embarrassment. But on the other hand, I think the silver lining for them is that it demonstrated their ambition and that they really want to do more and achieve more for their students, faculty and staff," he said.

  "So I think they should just embrace that."

  • Florida A&M
  • philanthropy
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  Despite Setback, Neuralink’s First Brain-Implant Patient Stays Upbeat

  Elon Musk’s first human experiment with a computerized brain device developed significant flaws, but the subject, who is paralyzed, has few regrets.

  

  By Christina Jewett

  Just four months ago, Noland Arbaugh had a circle of bone removed from his skull and hair-thin sensor tentacles slipped into his brain. A computer about the size of a small stack of quarters was placed on top and the hole was sealed.

  Paralyzed below the neck, Mr. Arbaugh is the first patient to take part in the clinical trial of humans testing Elon Musk’s Neuralink device, and his early progress was greeted with excitement.

  Working with engineers, Mr. Arbaugh, 30, trained computer programs to translate the firing of neurons in his brain into the act of moving a cursor up, down and around. His command of the cursor was soon so agile that he could challenge his stepfather at Mario Kart and play an empire-building video game late into the night.

  But as weeks passed, about 85 percent of the device’s tendrils slipped out of his brain. Neuralink’s staff had to retool the system to allow him to regain command of the cursor. Though he needed to learn a new method to click on something, he can still skate the cursor across the screen.

  Neuralink advised him against a surgery to replace the threads, he said, adding that the situation had stabilized.

  The setback became public earlier this month. And although the diminished activity was initially difficult and disappointing, Mr. Arbaugh said it had been worth it for Neuralink to move forward in a tech-medical field aimed at helping people regain their speech, sight or movement.

  “I just want to bring everyone along this journey with me,” he said. “I want to show everyone how amazing this is. And it’s just been so rewarding. So I’m really excited to keep going.”

  From a small desert town in Arizona, Mr. Arbaugh has emerged as an enthusiastic spokesman for Neuralink, one of at least five companies leveraging decades of academic research to engineer a device that can help restore function in people with disabilities or degenerative diseases.

  While Mr. Musk’s pitches have centered on sci-fi ambitions like telepathy for high-tech consumers, Mr. Arbaugh’s experience shows the potential for advancement in one medical realm where federal authorities will allow such risky research.

  Neuralink announced this week in news reports that it had received permission from the Food and Drug Administration to continue testing implants in additional patients. The company has not offered much detail on the unexpected flaw, and did not respond to requests for comment.

  Mr. Arbaugh has been paralyzed since a swimming accident in the lush hills of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where he worked after college as a camp counselor. Lunging into waist-deep water in a lake with a group of friends, he sank to the bottom.

  “I was facedown in the water and I just thought, well, I can’t move. So what do I do? I guess nothing,” Mr. Arbaugh said. “So I took a big drink and passed out.”

  Mr. Arbaugh became paralyzed from the fourth vertebra in his neck down.

  Adjusting to life as a person with quadriplegia was far from the future he had envisioned. As a young person growing up in Yuma, Ariz., Mr. Arbaugh had pursued all his community had to offer. If he wasn’t playing soccer, football or golf, he was at an Academic Decathlon competition or a chess tournament. Among the first in his family to go to college, he enrolled at Texas A&M University, where he admittedly smoked too much marijuana, spent a slightly aimless semester in Australia and skipped too many classes to graduate as a senior.

  In the years after the accident, he tried to adjust to an array of devices meant to help people who are paralyzed. Most failed to work effectively for long periods, though Siri on his iPad emerged as his most reliable assistant, enabling him to call and text his friends.

  Last year, a friend, Greg Bain, told him about Neuralink and urged him to apply for the company’s first trial in humans.

  Mr. Arbaugh said he did not have strong feelings about Mr. Musk, but felt that he drove progress and that “things he touched turned to gold.”

  After the implant was embedded in late January, he began working long days with Neuralink staff to link the neuronal patterns picked up in his brain to the actions he intended to take. He found the work tedious and repetitive, but rewarding.

  Once the training was complete, engineers gave him control of the cursor on a computer. “I was like, once you guys take these restraints off me, I’m just gonna fly,” Mr. Arbaugh recalled.

  On his first day flying solo, Mr. Arbaugh beat a 2017 world record in the field for speed and precision in cursor control. “It was very, very cool,” Mr. Arbaugh said.

  The long days of training computer models with Neuralink staff at his side have now been reduced to remote work in four-hour time blocks, Mr. Arbaugh said. The team continues to work on tasks like spelling words, as he envisions making sign language letters or writing on a chalk board.

  But the Neuralink device continued to lose its connection, the tendrils gradually sliding out of the tissue of his brain and presumably resting in the fluid that surrounds it.

  When only about 15 percent of the threads remained in place, Mr. Arbaugh lost command of the cursor altogether. Engineers recalibrated the computer programs to perform most tasks he had been able to do before. Because he can no longer get the system to do mouse clicks, he’s using a new tool that allows him to click by hovering a cursor over the item he intends to select.

  The flawed implant underscores the concerns of some experts in the brain-computer-interface field. The small, round device implanted in the skull is supposed to keep the thin tendrils of electrodes in place. But like a finger in a pie that’s wobbling about, the threads can pull out.

  Mr. Arbaugh said his brain moved more than engineers had expected, and have revised the surgical plan to implant the threads deeper in the next patient’s brain.

  Neuralink is vetting applications from others interested in taking part in trials. Their expenses, such as travel, are covered by the company , according to Neuralink.

  This first Neuralink experiment also highlights how complicated the mechanics of the connection between the brain and a device are.

  Lee Miller, a professor of neuroscience and rehabilitative medicine at Northwestern University, described the difficulties of working with the brain. It is bathed in salt water, moves around as the head swivels and bobs, and it is equipped with immune defenses meant to wall off invaders. Researchers have observed the brain forming scar tissue around sensors and even rejecting an entire sensing unit that used a grid of tiny needles.

  Cristin Welle, a University of Colorado neurophysiologist who started the neural interfaces program at the Food and Drug Administration, which approves medical devices like the implants, said the first Neuralink case suggested that the company still faced hurdles in developing a durable device.

  If the threads were implanted deeper, they could still ease out and leave fibers rubbing on the surface of the brain, possibly increasing the amount of scarring — and signal loss — in the area, she said.

  “It’s hard to know if that would work,” Dr. Welle said. “It may be the case that a fully flexible device may not be a long-term solution.”

  Mr. Arbaugh said his team had expected his brain to form scar tissue around the threads at the base of the brain — which they believed would help hold them in place. He said he will have the option to leave the study after a year, but expected to keep working with the company longer. Neuralink has said the initial study will take about six years to complete.

  Other leading commercial companies have taken different approaches.

  Synchron, based in Brooklyn, has avoided the delicate tissue of the brain by going through a vessel to implant a tiny metal tube near the motor cortex of the brain. Yet the device does not pick up as much subtle neural activity as others that penetrate brain tissue, according to researchers in the field. It registers louder signals, so to speak, like the intent to select an option from an on-screen menu. The company has human trials underway .

  Precision Neuroscience, based in Manhattan, has implanted a flexible strip equipped with sensors on the surface of people’s brains and is reviewing the data it is gleaning from patients with the strip placed temporarily, Michael Mager, the company’s chief executive, said.

  Researchers have been studying brain-computer devices for decades. The standard had been a grid of 96 pins, called the Utah Array, that rests on the top of the brain and picks up activity up to 1.5 millimeters below the surface. It tends to be linked through a wire in the skull to a small box mounted on the head during continuing human trials . The hole in the skull that lets the wire through is prone to infection, though, and Blackrock Neurotech in Salt Lake City is working on a fully implantable upgrade.

  Paradromics, which also uses a device with a grid based on the Utah Array, is testing its implantable device in sheep and expects to test it in humans in about a year, according to Matt Angle, the company’s chief executive.

  All of the work is closely regulated by the F.D.A., which weighs the risks and the benefits for procedures and is expected to first consider use of these devices in people with major disabilities or degenerative diseases. (The agency would not comment specifically on Neuralink, but said it requires routine reports on expected and unexpected events in such trials.)

  Beyond that, researchers are divided over the prospect of widespread use by people with no disability, who might want an implant to communicate without speech or to download a language, as Mr. Musk has mused. Some researchers predict availability for general consumers in decades. Others argue that will never be authorized for activities like web surfing in the shower, given the infection risk of repeated brain surgeries over a lifetime.

  Mr. Angle, of Paradromics, said he could envision a progression from usage in people with no ability to speak or walk to those with serious mental health problems that have resisted treatment.

  From there, he said, consumer use could be a decade away. After all, he said, the idea of Botox went from preposterous to mainstream in about as much time.

  “If 100 years ago you said, ‘Hey, rich people are going to inject botulism in their face,’ that sounds totally nuts,” he said. “Once you understand the risks, and people can make informed decisions, then it becomes reasonable.”

  Mr. Arbaugh hopes to see the technology deployed first to restore function in those who lost it.

  “And then it can go to enabling people to enhance their capabilities,” he said, adding, “As long as we don’t give up our humanity along the way.”

  Christina Jewett covers the Food and Drug Administration, which means keeping a close eye on drugs, medical devices, food safety and tobacco policy. More about Christina Jewett

  The World of Elon Musk

  The billionaire’s portfolio includes the world’s most valuable automaker, an innovative rocket company and plenty of drama..

  X: Elon Musk has increasingly been using his social media platform to criticize President Biden for his health and immigration policies , according to a New York Times analysis.

  Neuralink: A litigation team built from the sharpest, funniest tweeters is suing Elon Musk . Here’s a look at the saga that began in 2019.

  Neuralink: Elon Musk’s first human experiment with a computerized brain device developed significant flaws, but the subject Noland Arbaugh, who is paralyzed and the first patient to take part in the human clinical trial , has few regrets.

  Wooing World Leaders: Musk has fostered relationships with a constellation of right-wing heads of state — including Argentina’s Javier Milei and India’s Narendra Modi — to push his own politics and expand his business empire .

  Tesla: Musk has gutted the part of the carmaking company responsible for building charging stations for electric vehicles , sowing uncertainty about the future of the largest and most reliable U.S. charging network.