Over the last five years, 105 patients have helped turn an end into a beginning at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) by opting to be an organ donor after their death, according to figures provided by NHS Blood and Transplant to mark Organ Donation Week (5 – 11 September 2016).

The week highlights how people could give someone the chance of a new beginning by telling their family they want to be an organ donor.

Every day across the UK, around three people who could have benefited from a transplant die because there aren’t enough organ donors. In the West Midlands alone, around 608 people are currently on the active waiting list for a transplant.

Yet of the approximately half a million people who die each year across the UK, only around 1% (5,603) die in circumstances where their organs could be donated..

With such small numbers of people being suitable to become an organ donor after their death and so many adults and children in need of a transplant, it is vital that no opportunity for someone to become a donor is missed.

Many people believe that all you need to do to show you want to be a donor is to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. However, if you die in circumstances where you could donate your family would be approached by specialist nurses and asked to confirm your decision to donate. 

NHS Blood and Transplant figures show that only 47% of families agree to organ donation if they are unaware of their relative's decision to be a donor, but almost 90% of families give their consent when the decision to be an organ donor is known.

Janice Bayliss, Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation at QEHB, said: “We’re delighted by the number of lives saved or improved by the generosity of donors and their families at our hospital over the past five years. Life-saving transplants are only possible if people are willing to be donors and we are extremely grateful to the 105 people treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital who helped to give a new beginning to people across the UK.  Their families should be very proud that they agreed to donation going ahead and we hope that others will be inspired to talk about organ donation and to share their decision with their relatives.”

There is a particular need to encourage more Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) families to talk about organ donation. In 2015/16, only 5% of all deceased donors came from a BAME background and families from these communities are more likely to refuse consent than other families. This is a particular concern, as people from BAME communities have a higher incidence of conditions such as diabetes and certain forms of hepatitis, making them more likely to need a transplant. While some may be able to receive an organ from a white donor, for many others the best, or only, match would be from someone from the same ethnic background.

Last year, only 34% of families from a BAME background gave their consent to donate a relative’s organs, compared to 66% of white families. At the same time, NHS Blood and Transplant research shows that people from a BAME background are less likely to be aware of the NHS Organ Donor Register, less likely to have had a conversation with their family, less likely to agree it is important to share your decision with relatives and it is less likely that their family will be aware of their decision.

Anthony Clarkson, Assistant Director for Organ Donation and Nursing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Too many families faced with the possibility of donating a relative’s organs, find themselves having to make a decision without the comfort of knowing exactly what their loved one would have wanted. This makes what is already an emotional and difficult time even harder. It is vital you tell your family about your organ donation decision - having that knowledge will make it so much easier for them to support what you want.

“Many donor families say that donation helps with their grief and they feel enormous pride, knowing that their relative went on to save lives after they died – giving others the chance of a new beginning. So please talk to your relatives and tell them that you want to donate should you be in a position to do so, and that you want them to support your decision to save lives after your death.”

Across the country, and at QEHB during Organ Donation Week, teams of specialist organ donation and transplant staff of all specialties, as well as donor families and recipients have been highlighting the need for people to talk about organ donation and share their decision with their families.

Visit the team in the Atrium all week and help start a conversation to help turn an end into a beginning.

Join the NHS Organ Donor Register and make sure you tell your friends and family your decision.

• NHS organ donation register

Or if you prefer you can call to register.

Tel: 0300 123 23 23

If  you sign up, share your decision with your friends, using the hashtag #YesIDonate