This year’s National Transplant Week was 4th – 10th July and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) called on the UK public to reduce the waiting times for a transplant by signing up to the Organ Donor Register.
Staff and KPA members from Guy’s and St Thomas’ set up an information stand in the main corridor at St Thomas’ Hospital to encourage people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and to discuss their wishes with friends and family.
Three people die each day because there are not enough organs available. There are currently over 7,500 people in the UK waiting for a transplant. 96% of us would take an organ if we needed one but only 29% of the population is on the Organ Donor Register.
Sally Johnson, Director for Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHSBT, said: “We all know how frustrating it is to wait for something we want – be it a bus, exam results or a delivery at home – but our lives don’t depend on it. Imagine how it feels to be one of those waiting on average three years for a life saving organ transplant.
”This National Transplant Week we are asking everyone to do their bit to reduce the wait for others and join the NHS Organ Donor Register, then share their wishes with their family and friends so that more lives can be saved. It only takes two minutes – what are you waiting for?”
If you believe in organ donation, prove it:
Register as a kidney donor via the link on the home page