The Lithuanian association "Gyvastis" is the only non-governmental organization that unites people waiting for organ transplantation and living with transplanted organs. Also those who suffer from kidney (nephrological) diseases, their relatives, doctors.
The organization consists of 7 patient organizations: 2 departments (Vilnius and Marijampole) and 5 associate members who work in Kaunas, Klaipėda, Alytus, Šiauliai and Vilkaviškis regions. Currently, the association has about 1,000 members.
The association was established in 1993 with the aim of bringing together people suffering from serious kidney diseases, helping each other and working together to achieve more effective treatment, providing mutual assistance to the sick and their relatives, and cooperating with doctors.
The activities and works of the association expanded. Currently, "Gyvastis" is very actively involved in the planning and organization of health care and service provision issues: it delegates representatives to commissions and working groups set up by the President of the Republic of Lithuania, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and ministries, and actively participates in discussions on health policy issues, makes proposals and actively strives for health the priorities of the protection system would be the areas of organ donation and transplantation.
Our activities:
Promote organ donation and educate the public on organ donation issues (lectures, trainings, public events, media interviews, press releases, articles, information on social networks, etc.);
To represent and defend the interests of patients in government institutions, to make proposals in the formation of the health protection and social policy system;
Summon people affected by the disease and provide multifaceted assistance to patients and their relatives, educate them about kidney diseases and their treatment methods, develop skills for a healthier lifestyle (conferences, psychological support, publications, consultations, etc.).
The Lithuanian association "Gyvastis" actively cooperates with Lithuanian and European patient and disabled organizations.