Many Taiwanese are opposed to organ donation and are reluctant to sign consent forms. The issue of organ donation in Taiwan is not merely a medical concern but also a cultural one. In traditional Chinese culture, there is a belief that individuals who undergo organ donation may be unable to ascend to heaven. This traditional perspective has become the major obstacle to promoting organ donation in Taiwan. Even though people may be aware that consenting to organ donation is a benevolent act, many are still unwilling to sign organ donation consent forms.

In various Chinese religious traditions, including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and folk beliefs, the concept of "body must remain intact to ascend to heaven" is prevalent. This belief is deeply ingrained in the minds of Taiwanese people. Donating organs is seen as making the body incomplete, which is a significant reason why many Taiwanese individuals hesitate to support organ donation.

Taiwan has a unique funeral custom known as "Joss Paper Burning". People believe that creating paper money, houses, clothes, and other paper replicas, then burning them in temples during rituals, allows these items to be sent to the deceased.

The issue of organ donation is closely tied to the religious and funeral customs of Chinese culture. We believe that incorporating and aligning with these familiar customs can provide reassurance to those who hold these beliefs, encouraging them to be more willing to engage in organ donation.

Paper Organs is an innovative product designed to allow donors to adhere to the cultural practice of "body must remain intact". Collaborating with Taiwanese artist Chen Wen-tai, traditional paper art techniques are employed to craft organs such as heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, corneas, and more. This enables the donor's family to conduct a burning ritual for Paper Organs after the donor's passing. Following the funeral custom of "Joss Paper Burning", these paper-made organs are sent to the donor in the afterlife.

Paper Organs become a cultural symbol for breaking taboo in organ donation. The design aims to provide reassurance to organ donors, comfort to their families, and shift the public's attitude, eliminating the fear associated with organ donation. Beyond functionality, we prioritize user experience, incorporating "emotional design" in the design process. By aligning with local culture and public perception, the product ensures readability and accessibility for users.

Paper Organs debuted at the National Taiwan University Hospital, the country's largest organ donation center, as part of the "Rebirth Paper Art Exhibition". Taiwan Organ Sharing Registry and Patient Autonomy Promotion Center has announced the official integration of Paper Organs into the existing "Organ Donation Promotion Program" and "Organ Donor Family Care Program" in the exhibition and have commenced large-scale production of Paper Organs. As of July 2023, 11 hospitals have joined the program and begun offering Paper Organs.

Hospital volunteers and nurses, stationed at key signing stations, help introduce Paper Organs to the public, emphasizing its significance in preserving the body intact after organ donation and allowing ascent to heaven after death. Simultaneously, hospitals facilitate a streamlined process to assist donor’s families in conducting the burning ritual for Paper Organs, dedicating them to the donors in the afterlife.

Paper Organs breaks the taboo in organ donation, reversing negative perceptions in Taiwanese society and enabling more confident public participation in signing organ donation consent forms.

• The annual organ donation consent signing rate increased by 28%, the highest in the past five years, with over 3,400 forms collected during the exhibition.

• Collaboration with 11 organ donation-executing hospitals was established as part of the organ donation promotion program.

• Since the release of Paper Organs until December 15, 2023, 332 sets of paper organs were distributed within six months, including 42 hearts, 15 lungs, 113 kidneys, 69 livers, and 93 corneas. (Annual average for organ donations in Taiwan over the past five years: 859)

• Following Paper Organs' release, positive discussions about "organ donation" on social media increased by 411%, overturning the negative perception in Taiwanese society. (Source: OPView, 2023/01-2023/12, Taiwan)