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British Transplant Games
26/07/2007
The British Transplant Games got underway in Edinburgh today as the Secretary for Health and Wellbeing added her name to the organ donation register.
Nicola Sturgeon met with athletes taking part in the games who have received organ donor transplants when she signed up at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium.
Ms Sturgeon said:
"I have always been a supporter of organ donation, but like so many people I haven't got round to adding my name to the register until now.
"I urge everyone to do the same. It only takes a few minutes to do - either on the phone or on UK Transplant website.
"Donating an organ is the most important gift you can give - the gift of life.
"The athletes taking part in the British Transplant Games in Edinburgh are testament to this. They show us that people who have received organs can and do go on to live full, active lives for years after a transplant.
"Recent figures show us that there were just 50 actual organ donations in Scotland last year. With more than 800 Scots on the transplant waiting list, this emphasises the desperate need to increase the number of people signed up to the register.
"I hope that the Edinburgh games will raise awareness of organ transplant and encourage more people to sign up to the organ donor register."
Amongst the athletes the Minister met were Anna Burnett (22), from Edinburgh, who had a partial liver transplant at the age of 10. Anna, who is already the fastest female transplant athlete over 200m in the world, is taking part in the Games in track events.
She said:
"I have been really looking forward to the games being held in Edinburgh. It's a good opportunity to show people that life after transplant isn't lying on a hospital bed and that you can do as much as people who haven't had a transplant.
"People would be willing to receive an organ if it was their child or family member who needed it, so they should be willing to consider signing up to the organ donor register."
Lynne Holt, Chairman for the 2007 British Transplant Games, said:
"We are delighted that Nicola Sturgeon is signing the organ donor register, as it sends a clear message to people about the importance of the gift of life.
"The Games help people see the direct benefits of organ donation as they witness these amazing athletes triumph over life-threatening conditions. "This is a truly great start to the event and we hope many more will sign up over the weekend."
Tonight, Ms Sturgeon will speak at the opening ceremony of the games which will be attended by Sir Jimmy Saville, who was involved in the first transplant games 30 year ago.