NHS Blood and Transplant calls on families in our district to talk about organ donation over the festive season.
As Christmas approaches NHS Blood and Transplant is calling on families in Lancashire to talk about organ donation and register their decision to help save lives.
With some families hoping to get together for Christmas for the first time since the pandemic began, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people to take a moment during the celebrations to talk about their organ donation decision and to leave their family members certain of what they want to happen.
There are currently 169* patients awaiting the life-saving gift of an organ transplant in Lancashire and many of their lives could be saved or significantly improved if a donor is found. Yet every day across the UK someone dies in need of an organ transplant.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHSBT, says:
“Wherever and however people in Lancashire plan to spend this Christmas, we hope that everyone will be able to enjoy the festivities and spend some much needed time with family and friends.
“For many thousands of people across the country, including 66 people in Lancashire who have had transplants this year**, the only reason that they are able to enjoy a happy and healthy Christmas is thanks to the generosity of a donor and their family who so selflessly chose to give the gift of life. However, there are still thousands of people who are still desperately hoping and waiting for the transplant that will transform their life.
“Please take a moment this Christmas to let your family know your organ donation decision. Those conversations could help save the lives of people currently spending their Christmas waiting for a transplant.”
Even though the law around organ donation has now moved to an opt out system across England, Wales, and Scotland, many are still not aware that families will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead.
While families are more likely, and find it easier, to support donation when they already know it is what their loved one wanted, only 42% of the UK population have registered their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and just 37% say that they have shared their organ donation decision with their family.
Natalie Kerr, from Adlington, is looking forward to celebrating her 10th Christmas since her lung transplant this year, which has let her see her two children grow over the last decade and given them so many memories together. She recently turned 40 and will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her transplant early in 2022.
Natalie says: “My hope for my transplant was that it would keep me here to see my children grown up! The main thing was I wanted to see them grow up, I didn’t know how long I would get but as I was so close to dying, any time would have been a benefit.
“My main wish and dream was to see them reach 18 and still is, beyond that getting married and seeing my grandchildren. Just to be normal is all I want. I’ve loved watching them grow into the amazing humans that they are today.
“The last 10 years have been amazing, there have been ups and downs but I try to stay positive and surround myself with lots of love! I’ve made lots of happy memories with Brandon and Isabelle including Disney World, Lapland, Venice, Paris, Ibiza plus celebrated lots of birthday and Christmases.
“Christmas 2011 I was very poorly, spent all day on oxygen and couldn’t hardly get up! I was very sad but tried to make it as happy as I could for the kids. I think all my family and friends including myself thought this was my last Christmas.
“As I approach my 10th Christmas with my new lungs and my children, it’s totally different. I can enjoy fully every little bit and take it all in, from putting the Christmas tree up to New Year’s Eve. I love Christmas with my family and friends. We will visit Manchester Christmas markets, see a pantomime, see lots of family and friends to exchange pressies and I will spoil my children as always. I might even have a wine!
“I have an Angel decoration that I hang on my Christmas tree for my donor, I always think about her but especially at Christmas – and I think about her family. We will raise a glass to her on Christmas Day and I say a prayer for her in church on Christmas Eve.
“I strongly encourage families to talk about organ donation and share their wishes with each other. I’m living proof that it works, my wonderful donor has kept me here with my family for an extra 10 years.
“I know from speaking to donor families it definitely helps give them some comfort in their grief knowing that they have helped others live on. Please be a hero and consider being an organ donor.”
Anthony Clarkson adds, “We know that for many thousands of people across the UK, including 169 people in Lancashire, the greatest gift they could receive this year will be a phone call telling them that a donor has been found for them. Please let your family know your organ donation decision and leave them certain of your decision”.
For more information, or to register your organ donation decision, please visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. NHS app users can also use the service to record, check or update their organ donation decision.
Praise for Lancaster and Morecambe youngsters who took part in 'tongue movement' project
Clinic where students offer free legal advice to reopen at Lancaster University
Lines reopen after train derailment on Scotland-London line
Police arrest two and seize illegal bike in Morecambe
ITV commissions sixth series of Morecambe crime drama The Bay
E-bike shop moves from Lancaster to new Carnforth showroom
Lancaster workshop to tackle the issue of drink and needle spiking
Morecambe raw feeds shop up for three 'Animal Star' awards
Two new festivals proposed for Morecambe entertainment venue the Platform
Second day of disruption as work continues after train derails in Cumbria
Morecambe lifeboat crew’s swift response rescues swimmer ‘being swept dangerously out to sea’
'Street Meets' announced to answer your questions amid new wheelie bin roll-out
Campaign group welcomes new "life changing" bus service to Morecambe
Lancaster prison worker jailed for drug offences
Major disruption as train derails on West Coast Main Line
Talks begin for events to mark Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Lancaster music venue due to shut will now stay open "well into 2026"
Halloween What's On Guide
LISTEN: Launch of new group in Morecambe to help with gambling addiction
LISTEN: New centre for people with disabilities to open in historic Lancaster location
