We don’t mind talking about ‘taboo’ donation
HUDDERSFIELD FOLK MORE OPEN TO ORGAN DISCUSSIONS THAN MOST
PEOPLE in Huddersfield are better than most when it comes to talking openly to family about organ donation, a survey has revealed.
A survey, by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, found that people in West Yorkshire were more comfortable talking about money, sex or even adultery than organ donation.
But now Yorkshire’s dedicated organ donation charity, Be A Hero, wants everyone to consider donation – and tell their loved ones.
Organ donation ambassador Mahmud Nawaz, whose wife died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage in 2004, stressed the importance of speaking to relatives.
He said: “When I lost my wife, because she had told me her wishes around organ donation, I was able to make the correct decision on her behalf and do what she would have wanted.
“Had she not told me her wishes, I would have faced making that decision alone and while grieving – she saved me from that by having the conversation.
“Having a conservation about organ donation may not be top of your to-do list, but, by speaking to your family now, you can protect them from having to make that decision alone; ensure your final wishes are fulfilled, and ultimately change the life of someone waiting for a life-saving transplant.”
Interestingly, the survey results showed that people’s willingness to talk about organ donation varied significantly region-to-region.
Around 60% of those surveyed in Huddersfield were happy to talk. However, it was as low as 25% in Bradford.
Be A Hero was launched to drive up awareness of organ donation and increase sign-ups to the organ donor register. Now, ahead of next year’s new opt-out system, the charity campaigns for Yorkshire residents to have the #DonationConversation with their family, loved ones or next-of-kin, to ensure all future donations go ahead as planned.
Clinical lead in organ donation at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Cathy Penrose, said: “These statistics show that Yorkshire residents still don’t see the importance in having a conversation about organ donation with their families – even though they are the ones who have the final say on the subject.
“This is really disconcerting, as there are 493 people currently on the transplant waiting list in Yorkshire, all of whom are in urgent need of a vital organ transplant.”
Claire Tordoff, also a clinical lead in organ donation, added: “We really cannot stress enough that organ donation should not be considered a taboo subject. We’re encouraging the public to be as transparent as they can so that, when they’re gone, their family can honour them and their final wishes.”
For more information about the 2020 opt-out system in England, go to www. organdonation.nhs.uk/uk-laws/organdonation-law-in-england/