NEW FIGURES have revealed more people from Worcestershire than ever before are saving lives through deceased organ donation
A further 14 people from Worcestershire became lifesaving deceased organ donors over the last year, helping the UK reach its highest ever number of donors.
The county has seen an increase in donors over the last decade, according to figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant’s Transplant Activity Report on Monday
The report reveals there is growing support for organ donation in Worcestershire and around the country. Nationally, there was a record number of organ donors, with 1574 people saving lives through deceased organ donation over the last year.
However the overall shortage of donors remains and there is an urgent need for more people to support donation.
Around three people die a day in need of a donated organ but many people have never told their relatives they want to save lives.
There are still 40 people from Worcestershire on the transplant waiting list and a donated organ is the last and only hope for many people on the list.
Sally Johnson, director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the families in Worcestershire who have chosen to say ‘yes’ to organ donation. Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people. We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to save lives through organ donation. We want more people to have that opportunity.”
The annual report also demonstrates how the ageing population means the average age of potential donors is increasing. The average age of donors in Worcestershire during the 2017 calendar year was 42.
Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation. However many over 50s don’t join the NHS Organ Donor Register or tell their families they want to donate because they don’t think their organs could help other people.
“We need more people aged over 50 in Worcestershire to support donation,” she added,
“People in older age groups can still save and transform lives through organ and tissue donation. Many more lives could be saved by telling their families they want to donate.”
Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk for more information.
