Students signed up to save lives at the Fresher’s fair

As students were signing up for new clubs and societies at Queen’s Fresher’s fair, the Public Health Agency (PHA) alongside the Northern Ireland Transplant Association (NITA) and specialist nurses from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) hosted a stall to promote the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive, PHA, said: “The stand at Queen’s Fresher’s fair on Wednesday proved a great success, with over 150 students signing up to save lives. I hope this recent success continues and encourages many other people to show their support and sign up to the Organ Donor Register.

He added: “The response to organ donation has been positive and we have seen encouraging support previously when the Transplant Games were held here in August. Unfortunately there are still not enough organs available and the reality is that someone in Northern Ireland will die waiting, so I want to encourage those who haven’t already signed onto the Organ Donor Register to do so”.

Health Minister Edwin Poots, who was also in attendance, reinforced the importance of registering. He said: “I am delighted with the number of students who signed up to the organ donor register yesterday. However, more still has to be done as 15 local people die each year whilst waiting for an organ.”

“I would encourage everyone, who has not yet already done so, to join the organ donor register and to discuss their wishes with their family and friends.”