Thousands of Lives Saved by Organ Donation in the South West Over the Last 30 Years

More than 8,000 people given a second chance, but hundreds still waiting for transplants

Over the past 30 years, more than 8,000 people in the South West have had their lives saved through organ donation, according to NHS Blood and Transplant. This remarkable milestone coincides with the 30th anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register, which has seen over 2.8 million people in the region pledge to donate their organs after death.

Photo: Elodie – British transplant games

A Lifesaving Legacy

Since its establishment in 1994, the NHS Organ Donor Register has facilitated over 100,000 life-saving transplants across the UK. Organ donation itself has been saving lives since the 1950s, but the register was introduced to help spread the message and allow individuals to formally record their decision to be donors.

One of the countless lives transformed by organ donation is that of Elodie Gray, from Kingswood, Bristol. Elodie was just a few months old when she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and urgently needed a heart transplant. At less than a year old, she received a new heart and recently celebrated her tenth heart anniversary.

Her father, Colin, recalls the harrowing experience: “We were told Elodie might not survive the flight to Newcastle for the transplant. Surgery was her only hope, and when we got the call that a heart was available, it was nothing short of a miracle.” Today, Elodie is a thriving ten-year-old who loves to play football and sing, thanks to the generosity of an organ donor.

The Need Continues

Despite these successes, the need for organ donors remains critical. In the South West alone, 593 patients are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Last year, 261 patients in the region received a transplant from a deceased donor, and 155 people donated their organs after death. These figures highlight both the generosity of donors and the pressing need for more people to join the register.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, stresses the importance of making your decision known: “With so many people still waiting for transplants, it’s more important than ever to register your organ donation decision and discuss it with your family.”

Photo: Anthony Clarkson

Celebrating Organ Donation Week

Organ Donation Week, running from 23rd to 29th September, is an opportunity for communities to show their support and raise awareness. This year, the UK is going pink in honour of the occasion, with landmarks across the South West lighting up in pink. From wearing pink to baking pink-themed treats, there are countless ways to get involved and spread the message.

Lucy Ryan, who received a heart transplant as a baby, knows all too well the difference organ donation can make. Now 34, Lucy, originally from Wiltshire and currently living in Salford, Greater Manchester, is living proof of the impact a donor can have. “I wouldn’t be here without my heart transplant. It’s been over three decades, and I’m now finishing my degree. I’m grateful every day to my donor and their family for giving me this chance,” she said.

How You Can Help

Joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is a quick and simple process that can be done online or by calling 0300 123 23 23. Families are always involved in organ donation discussions, so making your wishes clear can provide comfort and clarity during a difficult time.

With one donor having the potential to save up to nine lives, the impact of organ donation is profound. For more information on how to register and get involved, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.

Every day, someone in the UK dies waiting for an organ transplant. By making the decision to donate, you could save lives and transform families, just like Elodie’s and Lucy’s.