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Organ donation - so life can go on

For over fifty years surgeons have been transplanting organs to save the lives of people on the verge of death.

Rapid advances in transplant surgery mean there is no medical reason why many people should continue to die from certain forms of kidney failure, liver or heart disease.

But there is a serious shortage of donated organs and the gap between the number of organs donated and the number of people waiting for a transplant is increasing.

More than 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant. Of these, 1000 each year - that's three a day - will die waiting as there are not enough organs available.

During the next decade the number of people needing a transplant is expected to rise steeply due to an ageing population, an increase in kidney failure and scientific advances which have meant that more people are now able to benefit from a transplant.

At the same time, bodies are buried or cremated complete with organs which could have been used to save lives - not because the deceased objected to donation, but simply because they never got around to informing their relatives of their wishes and enrolling on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Not everyone who dies will be a potential organ donor - although nearly everyone can donate their corneas to help others to see or gift bone, skin or other tissues.
Organs can usually only be donated by people who have died in hospital. Hearts and lungs in particular can normally only be donated by patients who have died while receiving mechanical ventilation in a hospital intensive care unit as a result of a major accident like a car crash, a brain haemorrhage or stroke. Improved road and vehicle safety and improvements in medical technology mean that the numbers of people dying in these circumstances is decreasing.

The NHS Organ Donor Register, which was established in 1994, is a computerised, confidential register of people who are willing to leave the gift of life to others after their death. It can be quickly accessed 24 hours a day to see whether an individual has registered a willingness to be an organ donor. It can literally be a lifesaver.

Families are always consulted if there is a possibility that organs could be used to help others, irrespective of whether the person was on the register or carried an organ donor card. Objection is almost unknown if the family is aware that their relative wished to donate.
Lynda Hamlyn, Chief Executive of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), said: "The generosity of all our donors has helped save thousands of lives over the past year.

"We have seen yet another increase in the number of organ transplants and a significant number of new donors registering to give blood. But in order to meet the growing number of patients waiting for a transplant and needing blood on a daily basis, we are asking more people to become regular blood donors and sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

"It is important that people talk to their families and friends about their organ donation wishes so that these can be respected after their death."

Anyone wanting to know more about organ donation or join the register can contact the Organ Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk

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