Forth Valley residents urged to make organ donor decisions
With almost half of Forth Valley residents having not recorded their organ and tissue donor decisions - NHS Forth Valley are now urging them to do so.
New statistics show that 44 percent of people in Forth Valley have not made an official decision on what will happen with their organs and tissue when they die. Organ and Tissue Donation Week has returned to encourage residents and the wider population of Scotland to consider their own wishes.
From Monday, September 21 to Sunday, September 27, the national week aims to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation while igniting vital discussions which help families understand their loved one’s wishes.
The week of awareness coincides with National Eye Health Week this year which highlights cornea donation, something that is often overlooked within the wider donation choice.
Scotland currently has more people than ever waiting for a life-saving transplant.
Scotland has an opt-out system for such donations, which means adults aged 16 and over can decide to register as a donor or opt-out.
For those that do not record a decision, it may be assumed that they accept becoming a donor if they die in circumstances where donation is possible, unless donation would be against their beliefs or they are part of an excluded group.
NHS Forth Valley has underlined how recording your choice and speaking about it with family and friends can help make sure your wishes are clear.
As well as the national week, the Scottish government’s Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt campaign showcases the importance of making a choice, recording that choice, and making sure those closest to you understand it.
More than 2.9 million people across the country have recorded their official decisions about organ and tissue donation.
Those who have not yet recorded their official decision can do so on the NHS Organ Donor Register website.
Joanne Brooks, a lead nurse on the NHS Scotland Organ Donation Team, said: “Organ and tissue donation is one of the most generous gifts a person can give. It has the power to transform and save lives. At the heart of every donation is the remarkable kindness of donors and the support of their families, whose decision makes these life-changing transplants possible.”