Walsall NHS staff have been shining a light on the importance of organ donation this week and acknowledging those who give “the most special gift.”
Organ Donation Week (23-27 September 2024) is a week long campaign that takes place every year, raising awareness about the ongoing need for organ donors. This year, the NHS Organ Donor Register also turns 30.
To support this, Natalie Myatt (Specialist Nurse Organ Donation (SNOD), Chloe Evans (ICU Link Nurse) and Robert Barnes (Theatre Link Nurse) held a stand today at Walsall Manor Hospital for patients, staff and visitors – sharing information, advice and freebies.
Natalie said: “We are here today to encourage everyone to have a think about registering as it isn’t talked about enough.
“It’s so important to add your name and decision, because families are more likely to support the decision of someone who has done so. It only takes two minutes, and you could go on to save up to nine lives.
“Sadly, many opportunities are lost every year in Walsall and around the country because families don’t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not.”
Donna Allen, SNOD at Walsall Healthcare and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trusts (RWT) is also climbing Pen Y Fan in Wales today (27 September) alongside donor families, organ recipients and other professionals involved with Organ Donation and Transplantation. There are six peaks being climbed by more than 600 people who will live link at the summit.
She said: “I was inspired by wanting to raise awareness and to show my support for the courage and selflessness shown by all our donor families who support patients giving the gift of life.
“Our donors give the most altruistic and special gift, and I want to celebrate this with donor families and recipients alike and represent the Midlands and Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant added: “It’s brilliant of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to show its support for Organ Donation Week in the year of the NHS Organ Donor Register’s 30th birthday.
“We need people in Walsall to add their name and decision to the NHS Organ Donor Register. This could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”
More than 7600 people are in need of an organ transplant, including more than 250 children. Each year around 1400 people donate, but despite these remarkable people the waiting list continues to rise.
Register your decision to donate here: https://organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/donate/