23/09/2024
We are celebrating 30 years of saving and transforming lives through organ donation and transplantation during Organ Donation Awareness Week 2024 which takes place (23 – 29 September).
As the NHS Organ Donor Register is 30, the Western Trust wants to pay tribute to donors and the selfless act of their families for the lives they have saved by giving the gift of life through organ donation. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 nine lifesaving and live changing transplants took place because of the gift of life by Western Trust Organ donors. Overall in Northern Ireland 168 transplants took place – the highest number ever!
Despite the high number of transplants in Northern Ireland, there continues to be a real shortage of organ donations and approximately 140 people in Northern Ireland and approximately 6,000 people in the United Kingdom are waiting for life-saving transplants. Tragically, every year approximately 14 people in Northern Ireland die waiting for an organ transplant.
During Organ Donation Week, the Western Trust is encouraging more people to sign up to become an organ donor and importantly to have a conversation with those closest to them. Registering to become an organ donor matters because to donate organs after death, a person needs to die in hospital in specific circumstances. This applies to only 1 in every 100 people, making every registration and family conversation vital.
Dr Manav Bhavsar, Lead Clinician for Organ Donation at the Western Trust said:
“As the NHS Organ Donor Register turns 30, it’s just as important as ever to add your name and decision, because families are more likely to support the decision of someone who has done so. It only takes few minutes, and you could help to save up to nine lives.
“Becoming an organ donor is your decision. Many people do not realise, even with the new ‘opt out’ legislation in place, their family’s support is still very important for organ donation to proceed. After your death your family will be consulted and any decision they make on your behalf will be respected. When families know your wishes it makes the situation less stressful for them, the decision to donate less difficult and gives them the comfort to fulfil your wish to be an organ donor.
“Talking about organ donation with your family should be done with open and positive discussion. Explain that you arrived to the decision to sign organ donor register with understanding that your decision can potentially transform up to nine lives and you are keen to do so. This conversation may in turn encourage others in your family to sign the register as well.
“We need people in Western Trust area to add their name and decision to the NHS Organ Donor Register. This could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”
It is the best thing you will do today!
SIGN UP TODAY – We can save many lives and together we shall do so.
There are many ways to register as a potential donor:
- Register online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or www.organdonationni.info
- Register when applying for or renewing a driving licence.
- Register when registering with a G.P Practice.
- Telephone the N.H.S. Donor Line 0300 123 23 23. Telephone lines are open 24 hours a day all year round.
- Download a form from www.organdonation.nhs.uk, print it and return it by Freepost
- Register when applying for a Boot’s Advantage Card.