Buildings go pink for Organ Donation Week
Russell’s Hall Hospital, Dudley Council House and Dudley Zoo and Castle are to be lit up next week to help raise awareness about organ donation.
The buildings will be lit up pink from Monday to Sunday as part of Organ Donation Week, which runs from Monday 23 September to Sunday 29 September.
This year, the NHS Organ Donor Register celebrates its 30th birthday. The aim of Organ Donation Week is to address the shortage of organ donors by encouraging people to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Last year over 16,000 people registered nationally to become organ donors.
The NHS campaign, is also asking everyone to go pink for the week. Whether that’s baking a pink cake, wearing pink shoes or drinking a pink drink they’re encouraging people to share their pics on social media. People can use #organdonation and tag them @nhsorgandonor.
Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health, said:
“We support this important campaign every year. Organ donation can change lives.
“Being an organ donor is one of the most generous things a person can do. This one selfless gift can transform so many lives. I’d encourage everyone to find out more about the campaign and sign up as an organ donor.”
Natalie Myatt, Specialist Nurse at the Midlands Organ Donation Team and Clinical Lead for Organ Donation, and Dr Alex Midgely-Hunt at Russells Hall Hospital said:
“The NHS Organ Donor Register has been saving lives for 30 years through the gift of organ donation
“More people than ever before need an organ transplant. More than 7,600 people are actively waiting for a life-saving transplant across the UK, so it’s vital that people to confirm their organ donation decision to save lives
“Consent for organ donation across the whole of the UK has fallen to 61%, so we need more people to support the decisions of their loved ones and agree to donation.
“Here in the Midlands Organ Donation Team at Russells Hall Hospital, we’ve seen the incredible things organ donation can do. We’ve been privileged to work with families who have followed their loved one’s wishes and allowed them to transform the lives of others after their death.”
Sign up as an organ donor here https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/donate/
Notes to editors:
From 2023/24 Transplant Activity Report
- Last year (2023/24), there was a 6% increase in the number of deceased donors to 1,510
- Last year (2023/24), the total number of patients whose lives were potentially saved or improved by an organ transplant increased by 3% to 4,651
- Last year (2023/24), there was an increase of 9% in the total number of corneas retrieved to NHSBT Eye Banks and an increase of 11% in the total number of corneal transplants
- Last year (2023/24), the consent/authorisation rate was 89% when a patient had expressed an opt in decision, but 140 families overruled their loved one’s decision to be an organ donor