Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Karen Mullan supporting organ donor week
If you want to be an organ donor, pass on the message to you family.
Many people don’t realise that their family’s support is needed for organ donation to go ahead.
Almost 48% of the adult population in the local Western Trust council areas are registered potential donors.
However, there is a real shortage of organ donations with approximately 140 people in the North of Ireland and approximately 6,000 people in the United Kingdom waiting on life-saving transplants.
Unfortunately every year around 14 people in Northern Ireland die waiting for an organ transplant.
Dr Declan Grace, Lead Clinician for Organ Donation at the Western Trust said: “Organ donation really is the gift of life and the Western Trust is encouraging everyone to join the Organ Donor register and tell their loved ones that they wish to be a donor so that they are aware of their wishes.
“Deciding to become an organ donor is entirely your decision but it does affect your family.
“After your death, your next of kin will be consulted.
“When families or friends know your wishes it makes the situation less stressful for them and the decision to donate less difficult and can give them the confidence to fulfil your wish to be an organ donor.
“The more people pledge to donate their organs and tissues after their death, the more people stand to benefit.
“In 2018/19 there were eight organ donors in the Western Trust area, resulting in 20 patients receiving a life-saving or life-changing transplant.”
Dr Grace added: “The Western Trust continues to promote organ donation in partnership with local councils, colleges and universities.
“While the number of people who have registered as potential donors is very encouraging, there is still a lot of work to do to ensure as many people as possible join the Organ Donor Register and tell their loved ones about their wishes.
“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.
