HEALTH AND CARE: Take the time to think and talk about organ donation this week

As the country marks National Transplant Week, new figures show that every day three people die in need of a transplant, and yet a third of UK adults haven’t considered organ donation or decided if they would like to be an organ donor.

This National Transplant Week NHS Blood and Transplant wants to get the whole nation talking about organ donation and the importance of sharing decisions on being an organ donor with family and close friends.

The Seven Days to Say Yes I Donate campaign aims to help break down barriers and taboos around organ donation.

Across the UK there are 10,000 people in need of a transplant but last year the number of people donating organs fell for the first time in 11 years.

Anyone can register as an organ donor. You can choose to donate some or all of your organs – and you can change your mind at any time.

The actual process to register is very simple and only takes a few minutes.

All you need to do is visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate or call 0300 123 23 23.

We are also urging people to talk about their wishes with their family and friends.

Currently only 50 per cent of people say they have talked about organ donation with their family.

But your family’s consent is needed in order for the donation to go ahead.

It can be very difficult for family to make a decision like this so talking to them about what you would like to happen and what your wishes are can make it easier for those involved.

At the moment the UK has one of the lowest rates in Europe for families consenting to organ donation and in 2014/15 only 58 per cent agreed to donate their family members’ organs after they died.

We would urge everyone to take the opportunity to this week to think about organ donation and talk to your loved ones about what your wishes would be.

To find out more about how to become an organ donor visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk

You can also show your support for organ donation on social media during National Transplant Week by posting about your conversations using #sayidonate.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.