Hundreds die waiting for organ transplants

ALMOST 50 people in Oldham face an agonising run up to Christmas as they wait for an organ transplant.

As of last night, 49 people across the borough were waiting for an organ to become available. Across the North-West, 899 people need a vital transplant to survive with 10,000 nationally needing help.

More than 1,000 — on average three a day — die every year before they receive an organ, including 54 last year from the North-West.

NHS Blood and Transplant has launched a campaign aimed at getting more people to register to become donors. Latest figures show 41,375 people in Oldham are on the organ donor register.

Research shows 96 per cent of people say they would accept an organ if needed but only 25 per cent of people across the North-West are on the organ donor register.

Lynda Hamlyn, chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Many people have told us that they just need a nudge to motivate them to join the organ donor register and commit to helping someone live after their death.

“By focusing on the gap between the number of us who say we would accept an organ if we needed one and the number who have actually joined the register, our campaign highlights the urgent need for those who believe in organ donation to act now. More transplants were carried out last year than ever before, but the need for organs never stops.

“If you believe in organ donation, please register today and let those closest to you know that you have done so.”

At present organs can only be taken from people who have actively chosen to be donors, and carry donor cards. The Royal College of Physicians last night called for every adult in the UK to be legally required to decide whether to donate their organs, in an attempt to solve the massive shortage of organs across the country.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: “Each year, organ donors transform the lives of thousands of people. But despite this, three people die every day while waiting for a transplant. More people are signing up to the organ donor register than ever before, but many more are needed.

“I would urge everybody who supports organ donation to show it by signing up to the organ donor register and discussing their wishes with their families.”

Government hopes the education campaign will increase the number of people signed up to the register from 16.5 million to 20 million by 2010, and 25 million by 2013.

To sign up, call 0300-123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk