Organ Donors

Can we count on you?

People from South Asian communities living in the UK have a much greater chance of needing a kidney transplant than the general population. This is because they are more likely to develop diabetes or high blood pressure, both of which are major causes of kidney failure.

Low donation rates

Unfortunately, while the need for donor organs is three to four times higher than among the general population, donation rates are relatively low among south Asian people. This reduces the chances of finding a successful match...

Organs are matched by blood group and tissue type (for kidney transplantation) and patients from the same ethnic group are more likely to be a close match. If more south Asian people are to receive successful transplants more south Asian people need to become organ donors.
What is organ donation?

Organ donation is the gift of an organ to help someone who needs a transplant. The generosity of donors and their families enables over 3,000 people in the UK every year to take on a new lease of life.

What organs can be transplanted?

Kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas and the small bowel can all be transplanted.

Techniques are improving all the time and we may soon be able to transplant other parts of the body to help even more people.

What is tissue donation?

Tissue donation is the gift of tissue such as corneas, skin, bone, tendons, cartilage and heart valves to help others.
The first successful cornea transplant was in 1905. Every year thousands of people with a severe eye disease or injury have their sight restored by donated corneas.
Bone, tendons and cartilage are used for reconstruction after an injury or during joint replacement surgery. A bone transplant can prevent limb amputation in patients suffering from bone cancer.
Heart valves are used to help children born with heart defects and adults with diseased or damaged valves. Skin grafts are used to treat people with severe burns.
Most people can donate tissue. Unlike organs, it may be possible to donate tissue up to 48 hours after a person has died.
Reproductive organs and tissue are not taken from dead donors.

Does joining the NHS Organ Donor Register mean I am agreeing to donate my face or limbs for transplant?

No. We would require specific agreement for these forms of donation – either from you during your lifetime or from your next of kin after death. Let those close to you know your wishes.

Courtesy of NHS - Organ Donation To find out more go to

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/Consent.do?campaign=1940

Right now more than 10,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant that could save or dramatically improve their lives. But each year around 1,000 people die while waiting for a transplant. Help us to give these people the chance for a new life.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register and give the gift of life, click here or call 0300 123 23 23.