Transplant Games to leave a lasting legacy
Over the past four days, transplant athletes from across the UK have been competing in the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Belfast. As the athletes begin to return home, the Public Health Agency (PHA) believes the Games will have a lasting impact on not only Belfast, but Northern Ireland as a whole.
Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the PHA and chair of the Local Organising Committee for the Games, said: “The Transplant Games will leave a lasting legacy for Northern Ireland. The Belfast athletes scored a spectacular treble, winning the Rosebowl trophy for the best adult team overall, with Orla Smyth picking up the award for best female athlete following her six gold medal wins. Janet Coleman, one of Northern Ireland’s best known transplant athletes, received the Peter Griffin Trophy for her outstanding contribution to the Transplant Games.”
The Games saw around 500 athletes compete at various events over the four day period. It was a very exciting and proud time as well-wishers from across Northern Ireland travelled to sporting events and joined together to show their support for the transplant athletes and, most importantly, organ donation.
Dr Rooney continued: “Three hundred people in Northern Ireland are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. Sadly, the chance of a transplant will come too late for many. It is up to each of us now to sign the Organ Donor Register and speak to our family and friends about our wishes. By giving just two minutes of our time to register today, we can help save lives – there can be no better gift than this.”
Dr Rooney thanked everyone who participated in and supported the Games for making this such a memorable event. Next year, the British Transplant Games will be held in Medway, Kent, where the Belfast team will be determined to defend their title.
Health Minister Edwin Poots added: "We all have the opportunity to help others in need and save lives by joining the Organ Donor Register and by discussing our wish to donate an organ with family and friends.
"I would ask everyone in Northern Ireland, who has not already done so, to take the simple step today of registering on the Organ Donor Register; it is one of the most generous things a human being can do to help others."
Contact the PHA Press Office, Ormeau Avenue, on 028 9031 1611
Information on Transplant Sport and the Westfield Health British Transplant Games and be found at;
http://www.transplantsport.org.uk or
http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events/britishtransplantgames2011.asp
You can join the NHS Organ Donor Register by:
- Filling in a form online at: www.organdonation.nhs.uk
- Calling the NHS Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 (lines are open 24 hours a day)
- Texting SAVE to 84118
You can also join when you are:
- Registering for a driving licence
- Applying for a Boots Advantage card
- Registering at a GP surgery
- Registering for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Leaflets are also displayed in GP surgeries, libraries and many hospitals and pharmacies.
2. The NHS Organ Donor Register records the details of people who have registered theirwish to donate organs and/or tissue after their death for transplantation. This information is used by authorised medical staff to establish whether a person wanted to donate.
3. Final consent is taken from the next of kin, so it is vital that you discuss your wishes with them now.