‘Words save lives’

This week is Organ Donation Week, a campaign to highlight the importance of organ donation and celebrate the people who have saved lives through organ donations.

Three people die every day in need of an organ transplant. Although many people support organ donation, only half of adults in England have ever spoken to anyone about what is for many, a delicate subject.

In 2016, commercial project manager, Heather Middleton, donated her kidney to her colleague, Tim Cable, after he was diagnosed with kidney failure. Here’s their story.

Heather received a Judges' Special Award at the 2016 Chairman's Awards for her 'astonishingly brave and selfless gesture.'

‘If you are considering becoming an organ donor it is crucial that you speak to your family and friends,’ said Heather. ‘If you have made the decision about organ donation it is also very important to act with consideration for all those involved or affected.

‘The process is lengthy and has to be driven by both the donor and the support of the co-ordinators throughout. When I donated my kidney to Tim, it was incredibly tough on my family and the people who love me. If I could have found a better way to deal with that aspect of things at the time I would have done.

‘The donor has responsibility for both families in a way and it’s important to make use of the support that is available, including talking to other recipients and donors. I have a postman friend whose wife needs a donation and I so hope she receives one from a live donor through a campaign such as Organ Donation Week.’

This Organ Donation Week, hospitals, charities and supporters of organ donation will be encouraging people across the UK to talk about organ donation with their friends and family. NHS Blood and Transplant will continue their ‘Words save lives’ campaign, highlighting the importance of talking about organ donation and sharing their donation decision.

Ask yourself, do your family know whether you want to be an organ donor? Have you ever discussed organ donation with them? If the answer is no, then you’re not alone. Sadly, many donation opportunities are lost every year because families don’t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not. Family support is crucial to enable donations to take place.

How you can help

If you'd like to talk about organ donation with your friends and family, or you'd like more information about how to become a donor, please visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

• Follow the nhsorgandonor social media channels and share their content
• Talk about organ donation in your units, and encourage colleagues or customers to take the conversation home.

If you want to be an organ donor your family need to know, so that they can support your donation decision.