National Transplant Week was from 4th – 11th July. The main aim of the week was to persuade more people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
There are 3 alternatives when a patient needs a transplant:
There are some bits of you that you can safely donate while you are still alive (for example blood or bone marrow as these are replaced by your own body) and you can even donate spare organs to close relatives if there is a tissue match (for example a kidney or a lobe of a liver). However, the Organ Donor Register is for bits of you that may be useful to someone else once you no longer need them. It is astonishing what is used nowadays. Nowadays, the routine transplants involve hearts, livers, lungs (often with the heart as well because the plumbing is easier), corneas and kidneys. But we have recently seen a few early face transplants as well as other organs. The only organ that is not likely to be able to be transplanted in the foreseeable future is the brain (although politicians’ brains could attract a premium as they have never been used).
There are, of course, safeguards. The transplant team do not take part in any decision that the donor is dead (so there is no conflict of interest). In addition, there are carefully defined tests for deciding that a patient is dead and would be suitable as a donor. So why not sign up now and potentially make a difference to someone else’s life? The thought that you have helped others to live may be a form of solace to your relatives after you have gone. You can register by phoning 0300 123 23 23 at any time of the day or night or by visiting the website.
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Disclaimer – Corporate Health Ltd has provided the above to raise awareness of topical issues for our clients’ employees. If you have any concern or further query please contact your GP for advice