65 people waiting for potentially life-saving organ transplants in Cornwall
The NHS is urging donors to have conversations during Organ Donation Week
Last updated 27th Sep 2022
65 people in Cornwall are waiting for potentially life-saving or life-transforming transplants.
The figures have been revealed during Organ Donation Week, as the NHS encourages donors to have conversations with their families.
Rebecca Tolmon, Specialist Organ Donation Nurse at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, told us put simply, it "saves and transforms lives".
She said: "It's not just the lives of the very lucky recipients, it's the lives of their families and friends and also the donor's family - because they are able to have that proud legacy that their loved one has gone on to save other people's lives.
"We really want to send a message to everybody across Cornwall, that organ donation isn't something to be scared of. It's really easy just to go on to the organ donor register and register your decision but most importantly, to talk to your family and friends about your decision - whatever that may be".
The law around organ donation has now changed to an ‘opt out’ system across England, Scotland and Wales, but family members will still always be involved before organ donation goes ahead.
Officials say this means it is just as important as ever to register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and ensure your friends and family know what you want and will support your decision.
Rebecca continued: "We're always going to talk to the family and friends of somebody who's in the very rare position of becoming an organ donor.
"We're going to do everything we can to, first of all, save that person's life when they arrive in the hospital. It's only after several days and quite a lot of time has elapsed that it becomes evident that we're not able to save that person's life that we're going to have a very honest and very open conversation with that person's family about what their wishes may be.
"If you've never had the conversation it might come as a shock to your family if we check the Organ Donor Register".
Cornish landmarks 'lit up' pink
Four iconic Cornish landmarks are being illuminated this week to raise awareness of Organ Donation Week 2022.
The buildings will be 'lit up' in pink, the colour of the country's 'Yes I Donate' organ donation campaign, to inspire people to tell their families that they want to be a donor and to register their decision.
Those being illuminated are St Mawes Castle and Huer's Hut in Newquay on 26th September, Truro Cathedral on 27th September and St Ives Chapel on 29th September, organised by the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.
The Devon team arranged to light up the 'nearly home' trees at Cookworthy Dip on the Devon and Cornwall border on Friday 30th September.
St Michael's Mount at Marazion has also been illuminated, to "shine a light on the incredible difference organ donation can make".
The buildings will be illuminated between 7.30pm and 10pm.
The dates of this year's Organ Donation Week were moved forward one week out of respect to the national mourning period following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
You can read more about this year's Organ Donation Week on the NHS website.