Newry Mourne and Down District Council has liting up Newry Town Hall pink in support of Organ Donation Week which runs from Monday 3 September to Sunday 9 September 2018.
Council Chairman Councillor Mark Murnin said: “The Council is delighted to support this national campaign and highlight awareness for Organ Donation Week 2018. This support is a continuation of the commitment and partnership with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to help highlight organ donation awareness and promote good health and wellbeing within the district.
“Nationally, three people die every day in need of an organ. I am aware there are around fifteen people in the Newry, Mourne and Down area currently on the transplant waiting list. I would encourage everyone to ensure their family is aware of their wish to donate organs so the the family has knowledge of and be in position to support their decision. Sadly, many opportunities are lost every year because families don’t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not.”
Specialist Organ Donation Nurse for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Edel Livingstone said: “Despite recent advances in organ donation and transplantation, there are still around 137 people waiting for a transplant in Northern Ireland so we are always keen to encourage new donors to join the register.
“We hope that the ‘Yes I Donate’ campaign makes people consider becoming a donor, sign up and very importantly tell their loved ones that they are registered. There are information stands in our local hospitals throughout this week for anyone to stop by to pick up more information or speak to staff about becoming a donor.”
Interim Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, Anthony Clarkson said: “It is brilliant of Newry Mourne and Down District Council to show its support for Organ Donation Week. The modern organ donor card is pink and it certainly gets conversations going. We’d like people in Newry, Mourne and Down district to just talk to their families. Words save lives. Please, tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation, because it could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”
Around 83,315 people in the Newry Mourne and Down District are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Millions of people are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register, join them today and tell your family you want to save lives.
Residents in the district can also show their support for organ donation and help get others talking about organ donation. You could:
* download a digital organ donor card onto your mobile phone screen so your friends and family can see you support organ donation
* share social posts from @NHSOrganDonor on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
For further information and register visit:
