Health and Medical News

Body Art Delivers Hard-Hitting Message About Shortage Of Donated Organs, UK

Health and Medical News - Transplants & Organ Donations
Friday, 08 February 2008
The lack of donated organs for transplants is to be highlighted in a national press advertising campaign featuring eye-catching body art. The images feature a male and female model with a picture of a heart painted on their bodies under the message: 'You've got what it takes to save a life'. While the heart symbolises kindness and giving, the underlying message focuses on the need for all types of organ transplant which rely mostly on the generosity of an anonymous stranger to offer the gift of life. As well as the heart, people can agree to donate their kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and tissue for transplantation. The advertisements will appear in national newspapers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from this week to hearten more people to join the 15 million already on the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR). "These are strong images that challenge us to think about what we desire to befall after our death. Currently, 1,000 people die every year since they do not get the transplant they need," said Chris Rudge, UK Transplant's Managing and Transplant Director. Last year, for the first time, more than 3,000 organ transplants took place in the UK, but more than 9,000 people presently need a transplant to save or transform their lives. The campaign follows the recent publication of the Organ Donation Taskforce report which highlighted that the UK has one of the lowest donor rates in Europe. The Taskforce made 14 recommendations focused on achieving a 50% increase in organ donation after death within five years - resulting in an additional 1,200 transplants each year. Health Minister Ann Keen said: "The recent publication of the Organ Donation Taskforce report signals the beginning of a new era for donation and transplant services across the UK. "It presents the opportunity to save hundreds more lives each year. However, carrying out more transplants relies on more of us being willing to donate. "There is a good deal of support for organ donation and this campaign aims to motivate people into taking action to express that support. The more people who join the NHS Organ Donor Register, the more lives can be saved." Chris Rudge added: "The publication of the Taskforce report and the Prime Minister's call for a public debate surrounding the issue of presumed assent have helped to focus public attention on the need for more donated organs. "We know from research that most people in the UK support organ donation but only 24% of us have taken that following vital step of joining the ODR. I hope these powerful images prompt more people to do so and discuss their wishes with their family." The campaign will also appear in publications aimed at black and Asian readerships to highlight the particular need for more organ donors from these ethnic backgrounds. People can find out about organ donation and transplantation, including joining the ODR, by calling the 24-hour Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400, or by visiting http://www.uktransplant.org.uk. Notes 1. The hearts on the male and female models featured in the advertisements were made by renowned body art artist Sarah Bee. 2. The NHS Organ Donor Register is a confidential database operated by UK Transplant that contains the names of 15 million individuals who want to pass on the gift of life through organ donation after their death. This figure represents more than 24% of the UK population. 3. The register can be accessed by authorised medical staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to create an individual's wishes for donation. It is only consulted after somebody has died. 4. In September 2007, Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, asked the Organ Donation Taskforce to analyze the range of issues involved in a system of presumed assent taking into account the views of the public and stakeholders on the clinical, ethical, lawful and societal issues. Expert Working Groups have been established to advise on these areas and the Taskforce has been asked to report back to the DH during the summer of 2008. Further info about its work can be found here. 5. The Human Tissue Act 2004 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 makes clear that the wishes of the deceased must be put first and where an individual has expressed a want to donate by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register, carrying a donor card or verbally or in writing to a friend or family member, NHS staff will do all they can to guarantee those wishes are fulfilled. 6. UK Transplant is the NHS organisation responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. It is part of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a Special Health Authority within the NHS that manages the National Blood Service, Bio Products Laboratory, and UK Transplant. UK Transplant

[ Back ]

Latest news in this category:

Use of stem cells for neural transplantation
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Neutral transplantation has been used to study and promote the regenerative potential of the brain after an ischemic insult.

Non-surgical Hair Restoration
Monday, 30 June 2008
Though surgical hair restoration is a viable option, it may not be suitable for everybody, because of different medical reasons. Along with such candidates, there are people who do not prefer the option of surgery, or those who may wish their surgical restoration to look even better.

Researchers Attempting To Mimic The Way A Parasite Manipulates The Immune System
Saturday, 12 April 2008
One day it may be possible to mimic the tactics used by parasites to trick the body into accepting transplanted tissues or organs.

Organ Transplant Waiting List Reaches High In U.S.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Donate Life America and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) are using the month of April to educate Americans about the number of lives that could be saved and advanced through organ, eye and tissue transplants.

Research Presented At ISHLT Shows Promise Of Addressing Critical Organ Shortage
Friday, 11 April 2008
Data from experimental work on the use of organs from cardiac arrested donors is being presented this week at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation's 28th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions.

US Hospital Performs First Six-Way Kidney Swap Transplant
Wednesday, 09 April 2008
Surgeons at the The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, have carried out the first simultaneous six-way kidney transplant operation involving six donors and six recipients that were paired using a "domino" system that relies on altruistic donation to facilitate better matching of...

Government Announces Appointment Of New National Clinical Director For Transplant, UK
Friday, 04 April 2008
The Department of Health announced the appointment of a new 'transplant tsar' to drive forward Government plans to increase the number of people who can benefit from an organ transplant.

Main Menu

Most popular articles

Latest News