#TellYourLovedOnesYourWishes
South Down MLA Sean Rogers has joined in the campaign being promoted by Aiken PR on behalf of several Northern Ireland Health Agencies and charities. The ‘Tell your loved ones your wishes’ campaign aims to encourage as many people as possible to nominate Thursday 11 December as a day when they make their wishes of organ donation known to loved ones.
The South Down SDLP MLA said: “During the launch of the campaign I was surprised to learn that whilst 84% of people in Northern Ireland support organ donation, only 38% of families consent to the donation of a loved ones organs when faced with that choice. It is believed that in many cases the refusal to give consent is based on the fact that family of the potential donor are not aware of their loved ones wishes.
“There is no getting away from the fact that this for many is an uncomfortable conversation to have and we all live in the hope that we will never be placed in a situation where such decisions have to be taken. If however we are unfortunate enough to be placed in such a situation then I expect knowing the wishes of our loved ones would assist greatly”.
Speaking about the new family discussion day Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive, Public Health Agency commented: “Research has shown that families who are aware of their loved ones wishes are more likely to donate their organs should the situation arise. This campaign is targeted at bringing about behavioural change and encouraging people to sit down together and have the conversation in the run up to Christmas, which is a traditional time for families to come together.
“In Northern Ireland almost 200 people are currently waiting for a transplant and sadly the chance will come too late for many, with 15 people each year dying while on the waiting list. Through the organ donation discussion day on December 11 we want to ensure as many families as possible are aware of the benefits of organ donation and have the knowledge of what their loved ones would want.”
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