Up The Farway Tree

National Transplant Week

Today marks the end of national transplant week, so I thought I would leave you with some statistics and a link to sign the register. I understand the concerns some people have about signing the donor register, but if you haven't already done so please take the time to think about it further. The reality is that without the amazing generosity of my donor I might not still be here.


Basic Facts:

• You are more likely to need a transplant than to become a donor
• Although 90% of the population support organ donation, only 22% of the population are on the register
• Over 7000 people are currently waiting for a transplant but less than 3000 transplants are carried out each year
• Last year over 400 people died whilst waiting for a transplant
• While 90% of people would be prepared to donate their organs in the event of their own death, 40% of relatives don't agree to donation when asked. One of the main reasons for refusal given by the families is that they didn't know whether the person would have agreed to donation

Common worries and misconceptions:

• "They won't try as hard to save me if I am a potential donor" - the doctors duty of care is always to their patient and they will make every effort to save you. They will not even be aware that you are on the register - organ donation is only considered after death, at which point a different team of experts are called in.

• "How do they know I am really dead?"- Organs are only removed for transplantation after a person has died. Death is confirmed by a doctor or doctors who are entirely independent of the transplant team. Death is confirmed in exactly the same way for people who donate organs as for those who do not. For patients who are ventilated, the ventilator keeps the body supplied with oxygen and this means the heart will continue to beat and circulate blood. This preserves the organs so they can be donated for transplant. However, when the ventilator is turned off the heart will stop beating within a few minutes.

• "I can't donate because I have a medical condition" - Having a medical condition does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming a donor. The decision is made by a healthcare professional, taking into account your medical history.

• "I am too old to donate" - In the case of cornea and some other tissue, age does not matter. For other organs it is the person's physical condition, not age, which is the deciding factor. Organs and tissue from people in their 70s and 80s are transplanted successfully.

• "I don't want to donate all my organs" - You can specify which organs you would wish to donate. Simply tick the appropriate boxes on the NHS Organ Donor Register form

• "The organs removed might be used for research" - Organs and tissue that cannot be used for transplant will only be used for medical or scientific research purposes if specific permission has been obtained from your family

For the answers to other common questions click here

To sign the register click here

Whatever you decide, remember to discuss your wishes with your family.