Milton Keynes residents urged to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register

Have you signed the Organ Donation register?

The national NHS campaign is asking people to talk to their families about organ donation to increase the number of people whose lives can be saved or transformed by an organ transplant.

Nationally, three people die every day in need of an organ, and there are around twenty people in Milton Keynes on the transplant waiting list.

Families will always be approached about donation if a loved one can donate their organs. Knowing what their loved one wanted helps families support their decision at a difficult time.

Over a hundred thousand people in Milton Keynes are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register but people also need to tell their family they want to donate. Milton Keynes CCG is supporting the campaign by raising awareness through social media and encouraging staff in the organisation to consider joining the register.

More and more families in Milton Keynes are saying yes to organ donation but there is still an urgent shortage of donors. The CCG is asking the Milton Keynes population to tell their families they want to donate to help make sure more lives are saved.

Dr Nicola Smith, GP and Chair at NHS Milton Keynes CCG said: “I have signed the NHS Organ Donor Register and I would encourage Milton Keynes residents to do the same. We need more people in MK to talk about organ donation to increase the number of lifesaving transplants.

“Only one third of adults in England have told their partner or their family they want to donate, despite eight out of ten people telling us they would be willing to donate or would consider it.

“Sadly, many opportunities are lost every year because families don’t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not.

“We can change things, though we need your support to get people talking.”

Anthony Clarkson, interim director of organ donation and transplantation for NHS blood and transplant said: “We are very grateful to Milton Keynes CCG for its support during Organ Donation Week.

“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.”

Millions of people are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register, join them today and tell your family you want to save lives. Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk