News

During national Organ Donation Week (September 3-9) KGH has appealed to local people to talk more about their wishes in the event of their own unexpected death.

During the week KGH is holding an awareness stand in main reception to encourage people to think about the issue and act on it and make sure their wishes about organ donation are clear to their families.

Nationally figures show around 3,000 lifesaving transplants were missed in the last year because families said no to donation of their relative’s organs.

At the same time 80% of people support donation – but only 33% have told their family they want to donate.

Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation at Kettering General Hospital, Angela Waterhouse, said: “Despite record levels of organ donation, family refusals are still the biggest barrier to organ donation.

“In circumstances where a family does not know their loved ones wishes, they are far more likely to refuse to give their consent to organ donation.

“That why we are emphasising the Organ Donation Week message—Words Save Lives!

“We want everyone to talk to family and friends about their thoughts and feelings about organ donation. Many people don’t realise that family support is needed for organ donation to go ahead
“If you support organ donation and have not already signed up to the national register you can do this easily with a phone call to 0300 123 23 23 or by going online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk
“The more people talk about organ donation with their families, the better.”

How a conversation has helped save lives

Local mum Nicola Lee from Kettering has supported this year’s Organ Donation Week message by pointing how her daughter’s conversations on the subject made it clear to her family what her wishes were.

Miriam Lee, was only 17, and a student at Brooke Weston College, when she died of a sudden and totally unexpected cardiac arrest in 2016.

Her parents, Nicola and David, said Miriam had made it clear to them what her wishes were.

Nicola said: “Miriam, our much loved daughter, was a healthy, intelligent and friendly 17-year-old.

“We were devastated when she suffered an unexplained cardiac arrest.

“Miriam had a kind, caring and loving nature, which we have learnt so much more about since her death.

“She was a strong believer in blood and organ donation and letting others know of her wishes.

“She made this very clear to us and we had no hesitation in offering her organs, bones and soft tissue for transplantation.

“Miriam’s attitude was that if you would be prepared to accept an organ, you should be prepared to donate.

“We are immensely proud that she had that conversation with us so we did not have a decision to make. It is comforting to know that numerous peoples’ lives have been saved or improved because of her gifts.

“Although the organ donor register seems such a simple idea, knowing what Miriam wanted when the time came, not only removed the added stress of making an important decision but it has had profound resonance in our family and friends.”

Organ Donor Register

The NHS Organ Donor Register is a confidential list of people who want to donate their organs and/or tissue. When you die, your organs could help someone else to live. Joining the register makes it easier for everyone to know your wishes and follow them. When you register, tell your family and friends about your decision.

Even if your name is on the register, when you die, the NHS will ask your family or friends to confirm that you had not changed your mind. When you register NHS Blood and Transplant will send you a donor card.