03 September 2019
Pass it on: UH Bristol and NHS BT raise awareness of the importance of organ donation
During Organ Donation Week, September 2 to 8, NHS Blood and
Transplant and University Hospitals Bristol are urging people to
talk to their families about organ donation to increase the number
of people whose lives can be saved or transformed by an organ
transplant.
Next year, the law around organ donation is changing in
England. From spring 2020, all adults in England will be considered
as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless
they record a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded
groups.
In the lead up to the change in law, NHS Blood and
Transplant is urging families across England to talk about their
organ donation decision, with the campaign message 'Pass it
on'.
Even after the law has changed, families will continue to
be approached before organ donation goes ahead. Knowing what their
relative wanted, helps families support their decision at a
difficult time.
A recent survey of adults in England for NHS Blood and
Transplant found that while 84% agreed it was important to let
those closest to you know your views on organ donation, only 40%
had shared their organ donation decision with their family or
partner.
More and more families in Bristol and the south west are
saying yes to organ donation but there is still an urgent shortage
of donors. UH Bristol is asking people in the area to tell their
families they want to donate to help make sure more lives are
saved.
In early 2017, Charlotte, 13, was diagnosed with a
cancerous brain tumour. She was referred to Bristol Royal Hospital
for Children but the day before treatment was due to begin,
Charlotte had a seizure at home. She was rushed to her local
hospital and was placed in an induced coma before being transferred
to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Bristol Royal
Hospital for Children. Tragically, Charlotte died in May 2018.
Charlotte's family had already spoken about potential
organ donation and Charlotte's mum, Karen, made the extremely brave
decision to donate Charlotte's organs so that other people with
other conditions would potentially be able to live. The decision to
donate Charlotte's organ and tissue resulted in multiple people
having their lives transformed and saved.
Speaking about her decision, and the importance of organ
donation, Karen said:
"Having conversations and raising awareness of organ donation,
who can donate, and the impact it can have is incredibly important.
We decided to donate Charlotte's organs and tissue so that other
people may be able to live and since then, I've been contacted by
some of the recipients who have had their lives changed or saved by
these gifts. This is incredibly meaningful for us as a family as it
not only changes the lives of the recipients, but it honours
Charlotte's legacy and her life."
Fran O'Higgins, clinical lead for organ donation at UH
Bristol said:
"We need more people in Bristol to talk about organ donation to
increase the number of lifesaving transplants.
"While most people agree that it is important to talk to
their family about organ donation, it is less likely that they will
have actually had this important conversation.
"Sadly, many opportunities are lost every year because
families don't know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not.
Please don't wait. Speak to your family about organ donation
today."
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and
Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant said:
"We are very grateful to UH Bristol for their support during
Organ Donation Week.
"Even after the law around organ donation changes next
year, families will still be approached before organ donation goes
ahead. So it remains so important to talk to your families about
your views.
"Register your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ
Donor Register and tell your family the choice you have made. If
the time comes, we know families find the organ donation
conversation with nurses or medical teams much easier if they
already know what their relative wanted."
Find out more and register your decision by visiting NHS
Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk
and share your decision with your family.
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