If your child has a favorite stuffed animal that they need to have with them at all times, then it probably has a little wear and tear. But even if that teddy bear loses an eye or an arm, it doesn't mean that it is now unlovable in your child's eyes.
In fact, the handicapped toy can actually be used to teach the child a lesson. But there is also an opportunity for adults to learn something as well, and a new campaign in Japan is on a mission to do exactly this.
Started by the ad agency Dentsu, Second Life Toys is project where "broken" limbs of stuffed animals get fixed with body parts from other plush toys.
And while the stuffed animals couldn't be more adorable after getting their second chance, the message behind the campaign is even sweeter.
"Toys that are brought back to life through a special operation is a metaphor for organ transplant, which connects peoples' lives," the website reads.
The project is part of the Green Ribbon campaign that supports organ transplants in Japan. The goal is to raise awareness about child organ transplants since there is a major lack of organ donors for children in Japan. There are approximately 14,000 people on the transplant waiting list, but only about 300 of them get the organs they need each year.
So to educate and engage the public, Second Life Toys is allowing people to take part in the toy transplants. People around the world can participate in the campaign by donating toys that need a transplant or toys that aren't played with anymore that will serve as donors.
Those interested can visit the campaign's website to start the process. The donor first takes a picture of the toy and must wait to hear back confirming its status. Second Life Toys will then ask the participant to mail the toy to Japan where it will undergo its transplant operation.
Those who donate a toy receive a Thank You letter from the recipient for helping to put their favorite animal back together again. Those who sent in their plush toy to get a transplant will then receive their toy back once it is repaired.
The campaign has created some adorable stuffed animal mashups like an elephant with a squirrel's tail as its trunk, a whale with dragon wings as its tail and a goat with a bear's leg.
No longer do these stuffed animals need to go to the Island of Misfit Toys. They can still be enjoyed while teaching the whole family at the same time.
