WALES REACHES ITS MILLIONTH REGISTERED ORGAN DONOR

by Pharmacy Life - Published on 12 May 2014

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Wales may be a relatively small country but the number of registered organ donors is expected to top the million mark for the very first time in Wales this month. This is equivalent to one person registering as an organ donor every ten minutes in Wales over the past 20 years.

The identity of the millionth person to join the NHS Organ Donor Register in Wales, or where they live, is not known. But by signing the register – and talking to their family about their wishes – that person will have made a decision which could potentially save the lives of a number of people on the transplant waiting list.

Sadly, on average, someone dies every eleven days in Wales while waiting for a suitable organ transplant.

‘This is a fantastic achievement for Wales which has the potential to change so many lives,’ said First Minister, Carwyn Jones. ‘This landmark figure is another step towards reducing the number of people who die while waiting for a potentially life-saving transplant. It is important that we continue to raise awareness of organ donation and encourage more people to make their wishes known.’

‘I would like to thank the people of Wales for their generosity of spirit as we mark a million registered organ donors,’ added Health Minister Mark Drakeford. ‘This is a fantastic achievement but we cannot rest on our laurels. More than 30 people die in Wales every year while waiting for an organ transplant.

‘Joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is an important way for people to show their support for organ donation but it is also important they talk to their loved ones about their decision as the majority of organ donors are not on the register.’

The majority of people on the transplant waiting list are on dialysis while they wait for a new kidney.

‘This demonstrates that the people of Wales understand the importance of organ donation,’ said Roy J Thomas, chairman of Kidney Wales Foundation, ‘and the huge impact it has in saving lives and changing a life which has suffered on dialysis.

‘Transplantation is cost-efficient for the NHS and in Wales we are leading the way in awareness-raising as people in Wales understand its importance.’