Vote for Life

Hundreds of local authorities across the UK are being asked to give their residents the chance to "vote for life" when they receive their annual electoral registration forms.

UK Transplant Chief Executive, Sue Sutherland, has written to more than 400 councils in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland urging to them to give their voters the opportunity to join the NHS Organ Donor Register at the same time they register to vote.

There are currently more than 5,500 people in the UK waiting for a transplant that could save or transform their lives but only about 2,700 transplants are carried out each year. Many more people could be helped -- if more organs were donated.

Last year alone nearly 400 people died while waiting for a kidney, heart, liver or lung to be donated. One in ten people waiting for a heart transplant will die and many others will lose their lives before they even get on to the waiting list.
Mrs Sutherland said: "Research has shown that nearly 70% of the population support organ donation but only about 16% have made their views known by joining the register.

"One very simple and extremely effective way of encouraging people to talk about organ donation and let their wishes be known is by giving them the opportunity to join the register at the same time they receive their electoral registration forms."

The scheme is the brainchild of Councillor John Meikle who piloted the idea with Taunton Deane Borough Council in Somerset in 1999. Since then a total of 26 councils have adopted the scheme, resulting in an extra 250,000 potential donors, and his individual approach continues to bring interest from dozens of councils.

Mrs Sutherland said: "If every council was to adopt the scheme it could add millions of names to the register and send out a huge message of support to the thousands of people whose lives depend on the generosity of others."

A total of 9.3 million people have already joined NHS Organ Donor Register. The Government has set a target of enrolling 16 million potential donors by 2010.

In her letter to local authorities Mrs Sutherland wrote: "I would urge you to join us in helping to save and transform lives. One donor can give life to several different people and restore the sight of two more.

"I need your help to encourage your residents to discuss organ donation with their family and friends and to leave a legacy of life when they die by adding their names to the NHS Organ Donor Register. The more people who pledge to help others to live by donating their organs after death, the more people stand to benefit. By choosing to help us spread the message, you can help to make sure that life goes on.

Mrs Sutherland said: "It is sobering to note that you are far more likely to need a transplant than to become a donor.
"Transplants are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine, but they depend entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to make this life-saving gift to others when they die."

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