Borderers urged to join donor list

People who support organ donation are being urged to take action this week and make a difference by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Less than one per cent of deaths in Scotland occur in circumstances where the person is able to donate their organs, so the more people that register, the more likely someone will be able to get the life-changing transplant they are desperately waiting for.

Organ Donation Scotland is aiming to attract 2,015 new registrations throughout the seven days – the equivalent of approximately one Scot joining every five minutes – the time it takes to register.

Every registration and every family conversation about organ donation wishes could potentially save a life and give hope to the 560 people in Scotland who are currently waiting.

44 per cent of people in the Borders are on the NHS Organ Donor Register, compared to 41 per cent of people in Scotland.

However, new research commissioned by NHS Blood and Transplant shows that 86 per cent of Scots would accept an organ donation if they were in need of a transplant, highlighting the disparity in people willing to accept an organ and those actually taking action by signing up to register.

Professor John Forsythe, Lead Clinician for Organ Donation and Transplantation in Scotland said:

“Every time a family doesn’t know their loved one’s wishes, a truly precious opportunity could be wasted. Although transplant rates in Scotland have increased, there are still not enough organs to meet the current need.

“A family member is twice as likely to agree to donation if they know it’s what the person would have wanted. That’s why each registration to the NHS Organ Donor Register and every family conversation really counts.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonationscotland.org