Staff at the James Paget University Hospital have planted a tree to mark this year’s Organ Donation Week.
The cherry blossom tree – kindly donated by CGM group – was placed in one of the hospital’s courtyards at a ceremony attended by staff and board members, including Chief Executive Anna Hills.
The tree is aimed at remembering and celebrating the brave decisions of patients at the James Paget who have donated their organs to help save and improve the lives of desperately ill people.
Director of Nursing Julia Hunt gave a speech at the ceremony. She said: “When a patient receives a life-changing transplant, it not only transforms their life; it also transforms the lives of those who love and care for them. Transplant recipients rightly view organ donors and their families as heroes….”
Organ Donation Week
Monday 2 to Sunday 8 September is Organ Donation Week – a seven-day celebration of organ donation across the UK, to raise awareness and to reinforce the importance of organ donation.
Next year, the law around organ donation is changing. From spring 2020 in England and autumn 2020 in Scotland, all adults will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups. This system was introduced in Wales in 2015.
In the lead up to the change in law, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging families across England to talk about their organ donation decision, with the campaign message ‘Pass it on’.