Transplant Awareness Week highlights the importance of organ donation

Transplant Awareness Week highlights the importance of organ donation

The Public Health Agency (PHA) welcomes Transplant Awareness Week, emphasising the importance of transplants which may not be possible without the generosity of organ donors. Last year, 3,504 organ transplants were carried out in the UK, thanks to the kindness of 1,844 deceased and living donors - the highest number on record.

The aim of Transplant Awareness Week, which begins on the 19 July, is to provide information on organ donation and help highlight the fact that there is a shortage of donors. Over 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant and, of these, nearly 1,000 each year die waiting because there are not enough organs available. Although the national programme of organ donation has encouraging uptake results to date, there is still only one in four adults in Northern Ireland registered as potential organ donors.

Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive, PHA said: “Although there has been a marked increase in the members of the UK public registering as donors, three quarters of the population in Northern Ireland are still not registered. The stand at the Balmoral Show earlier this year allowed us to engage with a large and diverse audience, making them aware of the importance of organ donation and encouraging them to register as donors.”

David Robinson, Founder and former Chair of NI Transplant Association said: “Research shows that whilst 96% of us would take an organ if we needed one, only 28% of us are on the register. Anyone can register on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Age isn't a barrier to being an organ and/or tissue donor, and nor are most medical conditions, so please come down and visit our stands this week. Our stand will be open from 11am-3pm on the 19th July Royal Victoria Hospital, 20th July Ulster Hospital, 21st July Antrim Area Hospital, 22nd July Belfast City Hospital and 23rd July Mater Hospital.”

Further information

Contact PHA Press Office, Ormeau Avenue on 028 9031 1611.

Notes to the editor

For more information on the Northern Ireland Transplant Association visit www.nitranplant.org 
 

You can join the NHS Organ Donor Register by:
 

• Filling in a form online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or www.walloflife.org.uk
• Calling the NHS Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23
• By 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)