General Chat

Donated skin is used to help burns victims, bone is used in orthopaedic surgery and tendons play an important role in treating sports injuries. Tissue such as heart valves can save the lives of patients with heart disease, and donated corneas can restore eyesight.

I agree with Diana!:-))

There is a National Organ Donation Register - this takes away any possible doubts of the next-of-kin. Yes I am on it Ann

I would really like to be able to be on the register to donate organs after I pass on, but sadly I have a bone marrow disorder and I'm not allowed to donate :-( Neither is my OH because of blood disorders he's had in the past. Mind I don't think my corneas would be much use to anybody - can't see a darned thing with out my specs. PP xxx

I still believe that people should have to opt out of organ donation rather than opt in!! Would save and enhance so many more lives!

People should be more willing to donate blood and organs, everytime u give a blood donation, you can save up to three lives, all it takes is an hour every three months.......not too much to ask for i think. If you think about it, why wait till you die to donate life saving organs for people, when you can give blood now to help keep people alive while waiting for serious operations, blood transfusions etc. Ps no i don't work for the NBS :-)

Corneas from the late Richard Whiteley, host of TV's Countdown, have helped restore the eyesight of two people. His long-term partner Kathryn Apanowicz approved the donation of the 61-year-old's corneas after his death following heart surgery last year. She told BBC News: 'I fully support donations. Richard felt the same way.' The NHS Blood and Transplant organisation (NHSBT) contacted Kathryn, who readily agreed to the donation, Leeds Hospitals Trust said. As part of a drive to increase the number of tissue donors, relatives of patients who die in hospital are approached about the option of tissue donation by a member of the local NHSBT Tissue Services team. I have absolutely no doubt that agreeing for Richard's tissues to be used for the benefit of someone else was the right thing to do Kathryn Apanowicz Ms Apanowicz said: 'I've always been a firm believer that if you're willing to receive a transplant you should be willing to donate. 'For many people the prospect of being contacted after the death of a loved one is a frightening one but I have to say the experience in our case was not like that. 'In many ways receiving a telephone call at home after Richard's death was better than being approached whilst I was in hospital. It gave me the chance to take my time and consider the options before responding. 'The nurses in the Tissue Services team were very sensitive in the way they explained the process to me and I have absolutely no doubt looking back that agreeing for Richard's tissues to be used for the benefit of someone else was the right thing to do.' Family comfort Julie Wright, NHSBT Senior Tissue Donor Co-ordinator, explained: 'Donated tissues are increasingly being used to provide lifesaving and life enhancing surgery for patients so there is a clear need to increase donation. 'This scheme has already helped many patients have vital surgery to improve their quality of life, as well as giving more families the option of tissue donation. 'Many people say that giving permission for donation, so that tragedy at least results in hope for someone else, brings them great comfort. Ms Wright said the campaign was aimed at raising awareness about the trust's work and to thank people for their support. 'We hope lots of people will be inspired to give their support, so that more patients can be helped,' she said. Donated skin is used to help burns victims, bone is used in orthopaedic surgery and tendons play an important role in treating sports injuries. Tissue such as heart valves can save the lives of patients with heart disease, and donated corneas can restore eyesight. Since staff from NHSBT began working in partnership with Leeds Hospital Trust to approach families directly, tissue donation rates in Leeds have increased more than sixfold.

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