This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Organ donation campaign
21/11/2005
Scotland's latest campaign to convince more people to register for organ donation was launched today.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said:
"Over 400 people in the UK die each year while waiting for an organ transplant - many of those in Scotland.
"The main message of this campaign is simple. If you join the organ donor register you could save a life, if you don't you won't. There is a clear choice to be made.
"Many people carry donor cards which is good. However, being on the NHS organ donor register is the best way to ensure your organs are donated should anything happen to you.
"Also, it is crucial that people talk to their friends and family about what their wishes are. At what is a very difficult time, it makes the decision to donate a loved ones organs far easier, if you know for certain it is what they would have wanted.
"For some people organ donation is a big decision to contemplate, for others there is only one answer. But if everyone out there chooses to leave it to someone else to donate, it could be you or your loved one that dies needlessly."
Norman Hughson, donor transplant co-ordinator in Aberdeen, said:
"This strong and focused campaign being led by the Executive is welcomed by those involved in donation Scotland wide. Signing on to the NHS Organ Donor Register sends a huge message of support and provides hope to the hundreds of Scottish people on waiting lists around the country."
Donor family representative on the Scottish Transplant Group, Mrs Rosa Murray, said:
"Having been involved in the painful decision of allowing organs to be given I am increasingly aware that the greater majority of people are more likely to be in the position of needing to receive organs. I therefore welcome this more direct approach being taken by the Executive to remind us all of our responsibility to donate.
On November 15 there were 6,495 people in the UK on the waiting list for a transplant with 590 in Scotland.
In the period January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004:
• 408 in the UK died while on the waiting list for a transplant - 55 in Scotland
• 2,277 solid organ transplants were carried out in the UK - 153 in Scotland
• There were 726 cadaveric organ donors in the UK - 46 in Scotland
The new campaign will run for five months. The adverts launched today will run throughout the campaign period. A second set of adverts will be launched late December/early January and will be added in to the campaign for the New Year.
The £110,000 campaign is a press-based advertising campaign which will run across Scotland.