Hospital Trust supports organ donation week

Posted Friday, August 31, 2018 12:42 PM

Hospital Trust supports organ donation week

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust will be launching its organ donation campaign for 2018 during organ donation week, with the theme ‘Words save lives’ encouraging families to talk to each other about organ donation and each other’s wishes.  

During the week the Trust will hold information stands at King’s Mill Hospital, Mansfield Community Hospital and Newark Hospital. The stand at King’s Mill Hospital will be set up in the King’s Mill Treatment Centre on Wednesday 5 September and will have information about organ donation, with a number of specialists and organ donation recipients on hand to speak to people about what a difference donating can make and the importance of involving your family in this decision.

Thanks to organ donors, during 2017/18 the Trust facilitated three organ donors, which resulted in six patients receiving life-saving or life-changing transplants.

It is hoped that the Trust can raise more awareness of the organ donation register and encourage people to talk to their families and loved ones about it during Organ Donation Week. Last year the Trust managed to sign more than 400 people to the donor register during the week.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Clinical Lead for Critical Care, Dr Som Sarkar, said: “Thanks to the campaign and the ongoing commitment and support of the Organ Donation Committee and the Trust, we saw a record number of new registrants on the Organ Donation Register last year. Over the last year we have referred 18 potential organ donors to the NHS Blood and Transplant’s Organ Donation Service and we continue to work with organ donation colleagues to identify potential organ donors where possible.” 

Organ donation committee member, Debra Barlow, who has had a double lung transplant said: “I would encourage people to come along to the stand to find out more about organ donation. Without it I wouldn’t be here today, it really can make such a huge difference to peoples’ lives. I understand that it’s not something people often think about, but by being a donor, you could save so many people.”

Fellow organ donation committee member Bronwyn Jones, who has had a heart transplant, added: “The campaign is all about raising awareness and making people realise what an impact organ donation can have on another person’s life. It’s a very personal decision, but if you are thinking about it please do come and talk to us to find out more and hear from people who donors have made such a difference to.”

Joining the NHS Blood and Transplant Service’s Organ Donation Register is simple. Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk and fill out your details. You can also register at the same time as you apply to the DVLA for a driving licence.

The website has frequently asked questions and a myth-busting section to help explain exactly what joining the register means.

It also encourages people to talk to their relatives about their decision and how they can support your decision in the event of your death.

The pink tower at King’s Mill Hospital will be joining landmarks across the country and shining bright (with the blue and green towers turned off) to mark Organ Donation Week.

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