The Ministry of Health and Public Health are urging everyone to talk to their family and friends about organ donation during Organ Donation Week (2-8 September).
This year's theme for Organ Donation Week is 'Words Save Lives' and we encourage everyone to have this conversation – tell your family and friends your wishes so they can make positive choices on your behalf. Around 45% of the population of Northern Ireland have signed the organ donor register but there is still a need for many more.
Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly said: “We are fortunate to have a good record of organ donation in Northern Ireland which has enabled many people to become life-savers thanks to it, but with around 140 people currently waiting for a transplant we must do all we can to increase the number of donor organs.”
“This Organ Donation Week, I would like to encourage everyone to take the opportunity to discuss their wishes with friends and family and join the organ donor register.”
Monica Hackett, regional manager for the Northern Ireland Organ Donation Service Team, said: “Last year in Northern Ireland, 46 organ donors and their families generously agreed to donate their organs, giving the gift of life to 106 transplant recipients. However, to carry out more transplant operations we need more families to agree to donate their organs.”
“Our specialist nurses will support families to discuss their views and feelings about organ donation at what can be a very difficult time in their lives. It can be difficult for family members to know what you would have wanted if you have never discussed it with them. We know that families are less likely to agree to organ donation if they do not know their loved one's wishes. I would encourage everyone to think about organ donation, speak to friends and family and join the organ donor register.”
A series of events are taking place this week including the lighting up of iconic buildings such as the Houses of Parliament, Titanic Belfast and various local council buildings. Many of these events are organised by local charities and people whose loved ones have given their life by donating an organ, have had a life-saving transplant operation or are currently waiting for an organ.
The family of three-year-old Daithi from Belfast, who is currently waiting for a new heart transplant, have organised several events to raise awareness. His father, Martin Mc Govern, said: “Dathi has been on the regular transplant waiting list for over a year and during that time we have tried our best to normalise the conversation about organ donation.”
“We believe ‘words save lives’ and we are confident that by sharing Daithi’s personal story, thousands of people will join the organ donor register and that number will continue to grow as we talk about organ donation.
“This journey can be terribly lonely and isolating at times, but knowing there are people out there willing to give the gift of life makes all the difference. Daithi is our inspiration and makes us stronger. We want people to be open about organ donation and have that conversation. Talking about organ donation and sharing your hope with a loved one could one day save up to nine lives. We need people to talk about and think about organ donation now.”
If you would like to be an organ donor, please join the organ donor register and tell your family and friends as soon as possible, because “words save lives.”
If you would like to sign the register or find out more information, please come along. Organ Donations It's packed with information and resources.
Notes to editors:
- For media enquiries please contact the Department of Health Press Office on 028 9052 0575 or email [email protected]. Outside office hours please call the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110 and we will return your call. Follow @healthdpt on Twitter.
- For media enquiries please contact PHA Corporate and Public Affairs on 0300 555 0117.
- Follow PHA on Twitter:https://www.twitter.com/publichealthni) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/publichealthagency) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/publichealtni).
- For more information about organ donation, please see: Organ Donations
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