Would you take an organ if you needed one? Nearly everyone would, but only 31% of us have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register. Please help us to turn people’s good intentions about organ donation into action by registering on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Last year, 59 Gloucestershire residents received an organ transplant and 55 people had the gift of sight from corneal transplants (based on the financial year from April 2012 to March 2013).

Over the last four years (since April 2009), a total of 26 people have died before receiving a transplant and there are currently 95 patients on the active transplant waiting list.

Here at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHNHSFT) we understand the importance of organ donation. In our region, there are currently 81 people waiting for transplants.

Alex D’Agapeyeff, Clinical Lead for Organ Donation at GHNHSFT, said: "One donor can save the lives of several people, restore the sight of two others and improve the quality of life for many more.

"The more people who pledge to donate their organs and tissue after their death, the more people stand to benefit. Organ donation is the greatest gift one person can give to another."

How to sign up

You can record your organ and tissue donation wishes on the NHS Organ Donor Register. You can join the register at any age. If you signed up manually (on a card) years ago, you will need to renew your pledge by signing up online or over the phone.

You can join the Organ Donor Register in a number of ways:

• Visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk
• Call:  0300 123 23 23
• Text: SAVE to 84118
• Download and print a form here and pop it in the post

 Our Organ Donation Committee

The Organ Donation Committee was established in 2012 with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of organ donation and to increase the number of organs being donated at our hospitals by providing better support to potential donors and their families.

The committee is made up of clinical staff from across the hospital, non-clinical staff and donor family representatives. The Chair,

• Ian Mean (Organ Donation Committee Chair)
• Alex D’Agapeyeff (Clinical Lead for Organ Donation)
• Kate Hurley (Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation)

Find out more about the Organ Donation Committee

If you have a question about organ donation at Gloucestershire Hospitals or would like to get involved in the committee, email

 

News

Be a hero campaign launch success! 9th July 2013

'Be a Hero' launch 8th July 2013

New Organ Donation Committee Chair December 2012

 

Donating after death

After death, one person can help as many as eight people by donating their organs and can benefit many more by donating tissue such as skin, bone, corneas or tendons.

Find out more about what can be donated after death

Pass it on

It is essential that people talk to their loved ones about their wishes, so that should the time come, families are not left to guess what their decision is, at what is a hugely traumatic time. Join the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell those closest to you.

Get involved

If you would like to get involved in our campaign or would like to tell us your experiences of organ donation, please contact Sarah Brown by emailing  @gloshospitals, using the hashtag #beahero.

Alternatively go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk for the latest national information from NHS Blood and Transplant surrounding organ donation.