People in Northamptonshire are encouraged to confirm their decision to save lives this Organ Donation Week

There are currently more than 7,000 people waiting for a life-saving transplant across the UK, and at least one person dies each day because they did not receive a transplant in time.

In Northamptonshire alone, 107 people are waiting to receive an organ transplant, while 334,917 residents have registered a decision to donate through the NHS Organ Donor Register.

However, only a tiny percentage of people actually die in circumstances that make organ donation available, which means it is even more important that people register a decision and communicate that to their loved ones.  9 out of 10 families will support organ donation if their family member had confirmed their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Hayley Timms, Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation at Northampton General Hospital said:

“Our message to people this week to encourage them to sign up to the Organ Donation Register online is very simple: Just take two minutes to sign up and one day you could potentially save up to 9 lives. Giving someone the gift of life is surely the greatest gift you can give”.

She added: “Confirming your decision to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register gives families the confidence they need to support your decision around organ donation at what is a difficult and emotional time. We need more people in Northamptonshire to confirm their decision on the register today in order to hopefully save more lives in the future.”

Someone who can attest to the power of organ donation is Shona McFadyen, 32, from Corby who received a life-saving liver transplant last year. She says “My liver transplant has given me a life that previously I could only dream of. I love every single day of my post-transplant life and it’s amazing to be able to actually look forward to the future”.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant said:

“Every day across the UK thousands of patients and their families are waiting for a life-saving call. But this can often only happen as a result of another family receiving very difficult news and supporting organ donation to help others. “

To find out more and confirm your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk. Users of the NHS app, can also use this to record, check or amend their details or decision.