Six Millionth Motorist Joins UK Transplants Drive For Life
This latest milestone takes the total number of people on the life-saving register to 13.4 million.
The six millionth person was 17-year-old Nicole Robins, who joined the ODR by completing the simple tick-box section when applying for her provisional driving licence. Nicole, a student from High Wycombe, is now learning to drive.
"I saw the invitation to join the Organ Donor Register as I was filling in my provisional licence application. I discussed it with my family so they know that is what I want, then simply had to tick the relevant boxes - it was so easy to do something that could make such a difference to other people's lives," said Nicole, who is studying four A-Levels at Beaconsfield High School.
Motorists are the most generous group in terms of offering the gift of life via the ODR and UK Transplant is at this month's British International Motorshow at London's ExCeL to thank them as well as inviting other drivers to join the ODR.
Penny Hallett, Director of Communications for UK Transplant, said: "Our research has shown that people like to join the Organ Donor Register when they fill out forms for other reasons. Our partnership with the DVLA enables us to make this direct approach and drivers respond in their millions."
This summer motorists have also been invited to join the register via a form sent out by the DVLA with their annual vehicle tax reminder.
-- To date, 13.4 million people have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register, the confidential, electronic database of those who have registered their wish to help others live in the event of their death. The ODR was set up in 1994 and is maintained by UK Transplant.
-- The largest source of people joining the ODR is those who complete the relevant tickbox section when applying to the DVLA for their provisional driving licence.
-- 30% of people joining the ODR are aged between 16 and 25. A further 25% are aged between 26 and 35, while 8% are 65 or over when they join.
-- More women (54%) than men (46%) have signed up to the ODR.
-- The number of people who become organ donors after dying in road traffic accidents has continued to fall in recent years. In 2000-01, there were 91 RTA victims among the 745 solid organ donors - representing 12.2%. By 2005-06, there were 82 RTA victims who became organ donors - 10.7% of the total of 766.
-- Last year (2005-06), 2,795 people received a life-saving or life-enhancing organ transplant. The majority, 2,197, were from 766 people who became organ donors after their death.
-- A further 2,502 people received the gift of sight thanks to a cornea transplantation.
-- A total of 590 people received a kidney transplant from a living donor - a close relative or friend - the highest number ever.
-- Despite those successes, almost 500 people died waiting for a transplant because no suitable donated organ was available. Currently, more than 8,000 people need an organ transplant.
-- People can also join the ODR by contacting the Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400 or visiting www.uktransplant.org.uk Even those already carrying a donor card should ensure their wishes are registered as a card can be lost or damaged and a person may not be carrying it when they are taken to hospital.
-- It is also important for people to discuss their wishes with their family so they know what their loved one wanted should the time ever come.
-- Recent research by UK Transplant highlighted that the biggest block to increasing the number of life-saving organ transplants was the fact that 40% of relatives refused permission for their loved ones organs to be donated. One of the main reasons was that they did not know if donation is what their relative wanted.
-- You are more likely to need a transplant than you ever are to become a donor.
UK Transplant
UK Transplant is a part of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a Special Health Authority within the NHS responsible for managing the National Blood Service, Bio Products Laboratory, and UK Transplant. NHSBT is responsible for optimising the supply of blood, organs, plasma and tissues and raising the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of blood and transplant services.
http://www.uktransplant.org.uk
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