You could be a life saver- become an Organ Donor.

Firstly I would like to thank you very much for taking an interest in my blog. My name is Becky and my aim is to make people aware that we can give others life after our death. Organ donation is the gift of giving and receiving an organ which enables a new life. The donors and family’s generosity means that lives can begin again. But it is not enough to help all. At the moment more than 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant. Of these, 1000 each year – that's three a day - will die waiting as there are not enough organs available. A person in need of a transplant can be on the waiting list for many years and sometimes not receive an organ before it is too late. Surgeons and doctors are improving techniques all the time to help more people but they do not have enough organs to go around.

The current system is an ‘opt-in’ system of Organ Donation – where individuals are asked to give their agreement by registering to be a donor after their death but we are campaigning for it to change to ‘Opt-out’. This means that everyone is automatically an Organ Donor but if they wish they can be removed from the list. It is often suggested, that due to the serious shortage of Organ donors and waiting lists for transplant operations, the approach to Organ donation is in need of review. At the current time research in the UK shows that up to 90% of people support organ donation but only 29% have joined the ODR (Organ Donor Register) under opt-in. This means that if the law is changed to ‘opt out’ then we would have 61% more people on the Organ Donor Register. This would be a big difference and not only help and save the people who are in need for an organ lives but also their family.

A thought for yourself.
Just one donor can save the life of several people, restore the sight of two others and improve the quality of life of many more – and you could be that life saver.

Saturday, 21 April 2012
Since 1 April 2011
275 people have donated organs
An additional 668 people have donated cornea
735 people have received the gift of sight
689 people have received transplants
7,524 people are still waiting for transplants

If you believe in Organ Donation, Prove it.

Any age can join the register. You will have to have Adults permission though if you are under the age of 18. You can join by either filling out a form online or calling the NHS Donor Line. Visit online at http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to register or to answer any questions you may have. You can also talk to your GP and pick up information packs.

Just think about it… If you could be a life saver would you?   You are more likely to need an organ than become a donor and you would take an organ if you needed one wouldn’t you? So why not gives others the chance?

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you now feel as strong as I do about the issue. I would be extremely grateful if you could please answer the questions below.

1. Are you now more aware about Organ Donation?
2. Do you support the change from the ‘opt in’ system to an ‘opt out’ system?
3. Are you prepared to talk to family and friends and make them aware them about Organ Donation?
4. Will you now consider becoming an organ Donor? Please say if you are already on the Organ Donation Register.
5. Please could you also  say where you live.

What could you do in 60 seconds that could make you a life saver? Thank you so much.
Becky