Harrogate and District Foundation Trust (HDFT) is calling on people to talk to their families about organ donation and leave them certain about their decision.
To promote the message a number of the Trust’s vehicles have been branded to spread the word about the importance of letting your family know your feelings on donating your organs.
The law around organ donation changed in England in May 2020 and all adults are now considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die, unless they record a decision not to donate, are in one of the excluded groups, or have told their family that they don’t want to donate.
However, relatives will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead and each year, opportunities for transplants are missed because families aren’t sure what to do.
Dr Sarah Marsh, Clinical Lead for Organ Donation at HDFT said: “Knowing what your relative wanted, helps families support their decision around organ donation at what is often a difficult time.
“We need more people to talk with their loved ones about organ donation to give them the certainty they need to support their organ donation decision. We hope seeing our organ donation branded vehicles will encourage people to have this conversation.”
“Your loved ones will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead. Please don’t wait. Speak to your family about organ donation and let them know your decision today.”
To find out more and register your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and share your decision with your family. Users of the NHS app, can also use this to record, check or amend their details or decision.