National Transplant week has launched this week and is attempting to change some of the stigmas attached to Organ Donation.
Nottinghamshire figures that across Nottinghamshire there are 132 people waiting for a life saving transplant and that last year 61 peoples lives were saved or transformed in the county as a result of deceased organ donation.
The reason for the campaign cause wants to get the whole of the nation talking about organ donation and emphasise how important it is to share decisions regarding being an organ donor with family and friends.
The Seven Days to Say Yes I Donate Campaign is also aiming to break down the barriers and taboos that are apparent with regards to organ donation.
NHS Blood and Transplant have also revealed that across the UK 1 in 3 adults haven’t even considered organ donation or decided if they want to be an organ donor.
“Every day three people die in need of a transplant. To save more lives we need more donors.”
– Anthony Clarkson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s Assistant Director for Organ Donation and Nursing
He also added: “To raise that number we really need everyone to understand the importance of not being complacent.”
It seems that even amongst those who do want to be organ donors, there is a reluctance to talk about the subject due to discomfort around talking about death and not wanting to upset family members and this reluctance is resulting in many healthy organs that could be donated aren’t used.
Anthony Clarkson also said: “As a nation we’re happy sharing dreams of big money wins and bucket-list holidays, and we’ll confide in our loved ones our worries about how we look. Yet too many of us are still not making the time or are not comfortable talking about organ donation.
“Over the next seven days we’d like everyone to give a few minutes of their time to think about organ donation.”
Show your support for organ donation on social media during National Transplant Week by posting about your conversations using #sayidonate.
For more information regarding Organ Donation visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk
