NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council are urging people to sign up to the organ donor register as part of National Transplant Week, which starts today (Monday 7 September).

People who support organ donation are being urged to take action and make a difference by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Cllr Jim McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council said: “Organ Donation Scotland is aiming to attract 2,015 new registrations throughout the seven days – the equivalent of approximately one Scot joining every five minutes, which is the time it takes to register.

“In 2017 North Lanarkshire will host the British Transplant Games and we’re hoping the publicity around the event will encourage people to sign up at www.organdonationscotland.org.”

Less than one per cent of deaths in Scotland occur in circumstances where the person is able to donate their organs, so the more people that register, the more likely someone will be able to get the life-changing transplant they are desperately waiting for.

Every registration and every family conversation about organ donation wishes could potentially save a life and give hope to the 560 people in Scotland who are currently waiting.

To inspire Scots to act, promotional teams will be speaking with shoppers at Asda in Motherwell on Thursday 10 September.

Seven people whose lives have been touched by organ donation will also be sharing their stories throughout the week in a bid to motivate people to join.

In Scotland, 41 per cent of people are on the NHS Organ Donor Register, compared to 33 per cent nationally.  (I’m trying to get the Lanarkshire Figure).

However, new research commissioned by NHS Blood and Transplant2 shows that 86 per cent of Scots would accept an organ donation if they were in need of a transplant, highlighting the disparity in people willing to accept an organ and those actually taking action by signing up to register.

Dr Harpreet Kohli, director of public health for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Around 96 per cent of people say that they believe that organ donation is the right thing to do, but only around 40 per cent have actually joined the organ donor register.

“It is important that everyone who believes in organ donation registers their wishes.

“Choosing to register as an organ donor is an important decision and is one that could help so many people. But it is vital to talk about your decision with your friends and family.

“When people understand their loved ones decision, it makes the decision to donate and the procedure of donating your organs less distressing for them. Hearing your reasons could also encourage them to sign up too.

“By signing up to the organ donor register, you could potentially save up to seven lives.”

Professor John Forsythe, Lead Clinician for Organ Donation and Transplantation in Scotland said: “Every time a family doesn’t know their loved one’s wishes, a truly precious opportunity could be wasted.  Although transplant rates in Scotland have increased, there are still not enough organs to meet the current need.

“A family member is twice as likely to agree to donation if they know it’s what the person would have wanted.  That’s why each registration to the NHS Organ Donor Register and every family conversation really counts.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonationscotland.org