On average three people die a day in need of a transplant, highlighting a shortage of people willing to donate their organs.
Despite a rise in organ donation in Wales due to their “deemed consent” system, where residents are presumed to have consented to organ donation unless they positively opt out, there is still a shortfall of donors from black or Asian communities.
Last year, 466 patients died in need of an organ and a further 881 were removed from the transplant waiting list, many whom would also have died shortly afterwards.
NHS Blood and Transplant estimates that if 80% of families approached to donate a relative’s organs said yes, more than 1,000 additional transplants would take place across the UK each year.
If your life has been changed by organ donation we’d like to hear from you. Whether you’re a donor, someone who has had a transplant, or a friend or family of either, share your stories with us. What did the experience mean for you? Why do you think organ donation is so important? Perhaps you’re medical staff and work on donation and transplant procedures.
You can share your experiences with us (anonymously if you wish) by filling in the form below. We’ll include some of your responses in our reporting.
