Traveling exhibition My Story”: Insights into life after transplantation

Traveling exhibition My Story”: Insights into life after transplantation

From September 10th to October 10th, 2025, the Hannover Medical School (MHH) will present a remarkable traveling exhibition entitled “My Story”. This exhibition features the personal stories of 20 young people who have experienced organ transplantation. The portraits were taken by the photographer Micha Neugebauer from Hanover and provide a deep insight into the realities of life and challenges of those affected.

The opening will take place on September 10, 2025 at 5 p.m. in the MHH shop arcade, in building K6 at Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hanover. MHH President Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner will open the exhibition, which is open daily between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. and can be viewed free of charge.

Insight into life with a donor organ

The traveling exhibition “My Story” is not only a collection of impressive photographs, but also an informative project that addresses essential questions about life with a donor organ. In Germany, up to 10% of transplants are received by children under the age of 15, often due to congenital organ defects. The exhibition aims to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation and shed light on the experiences of young transplant recipients.

Behind the initiative is “KiO Youth”, the junior team of the Kinderhilfe Organtransplantation – Athletes for Organ Donation association. V. (KiO). This association has long been active in providing financial and psychosocial support to families with children with organ injuries, and plays a crucial role in the area of ​​education. The photographic project was awarded the organ donation prize by the “About Life” foundation and received funding from the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

Psychological support for those affected

Psychological care for patients and their relatives is an important aspect after an organ transplant. According to the Federal Association of Organ Transplant Patients (BDO), many people are exposed to considerable psychological stress during the waiting period and after the transplant. Expert psychological support is essential to overcome these stresses. Unfortunately, not all of the 47 transplant centers required by law offer this support to a sufficient extent.

The BDO plans to compile a nationwide address list of psychologists and psychotherapists who have experience in caring for transplant patients. Many people seeking help live too far away from their transplant centers to be able to take advantage of the services available. There is also an acute need for support for relatives of organ donors and medical staff.

In total, around 1,000 people were waiting for an organ at the MHH, while over 8,000 people in Germany are hoping for suitable organs. The variety of stories presented in the exhibition “My Story” is intended to create a human approach to this often taboo topic and contribute to removing the taboo surrounding organ donation.

Through collaboration with institutions such as the BDO and the psychological counseling services that the transplant centers have to provide, we work on comprehensive support for those affected. This is the only way to ensure that young patients and their families receive both medical and emotional support.

The “My Story” exhibition is a step in the right direction to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities that come with living with a donor organ and to highlight the importance of organ donation.