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New appeal for more organ donors New appeal for more organ donors
(about 3 hours later)
A fresh call has been made to people in Wales to join the Organ Donor Register in a move that supporters claim could save many lives each year.A fresh call has been made to people in Wales to join the Organ Donor Register in a move that supporters claim could save many lives each year.
The Donate Wales campaign wants people to sign up for the new year.The Donate Wales campaign wants people to sign up for the new year.
Although an extra 60,000 people put their names down after the campaign was launched last year, officials say more are needed.Although an extra 60,000 people put their names down after the campaign was launched last year, officials say more are needed.
It is being backed by Health Minister Edwina Hart, who said she was also encouraging family and friends to join.It is being backed by Health Minister Edwina Hart, who said she was also encouraging family and friends to join.
The new drive comes as Wales may be moving towards introducing an opt-out system of organ donation, which would be the first of its kind in the UK.The new drive comes as Wales may be moving towards introducing an opt-out system of organ donation, which would be the first of its kind in the UK.
Sarah Bird, of Church Village, near Pontypridd, on her 10-month-old son Jonny's wait for a kidney "Johnny will have to wait until he's about three years old before he can have a transplant. Due to his age, the waiting game is a little bit longer.Sarah Bird, of Church Village, near Pontypridd, on her 10-month-old son Jonny's wait for a kidney "Johnny will have to wait until he's about three years old before he can have a transplant. Due to his age, the waiting game is a little bit longer.
Whilst he waits he can't live a normal life. He has to take five different types of medication, 9 times a day as well as having to inject once a week.Whilst he waits he can't live a normal life. He has to take five different types of medication, 9 times a day as well as having to inject once a week.
His health is being closely monitored and if it deteriorates he may have to dialyse until he receives a transplant.His health is being closely monitored and if it deteriorates he may have to dialyse until he receives a transplant.
We don't yet know if my husband or I are suitable donors.We don't yet know if my husband or I are suitable donors.
If we are not matches, Johnny will be added to the transplant waiting list and will be joining nearly 500 other people in Wales. If more people joined the organ donor register, and I know they want to, it could save Johnny's and hundreds of other Welsh people's lives.If we are not matches, Johnny will be added to the transplant waiting list and will be joining nearly 500 other people in Wales. If more people joined the organ donor register, and I know they want to, it could save Johnny's and hundreds of other Welsh people's lives.
So please join the organ donor register and save a life this new year."So please join the organ donor register and save a life this new year."
That would mean that people in Wales would be presumed to be organ donors, unless they have signed an opt-out register, or there are objections from immediate relatives.That would mean that people in Wales would be presumed to be organ donors, unless they have signed an opt-out register, or there are objections from immediate relatives.
The assembly government is looking at the so-called "soft opt-out" proposals, which could also see exclusions if a person's identity or place of residence cannot be confirmed.The assembly government is looking at the so-called "soft opt-out" proposals, which could also see exclusions if a person's identity or place of residence cannot be confirmed.
The idea is being backed by the Kidney Wales Foundation, which also leads the Donate Wales campaign, with the support of nine other charities and organisations.The idea is being backed by the Kidney Wales Foundation, which also leads the Donate Wales campaign, with the support of nine other charities and organisations.
The campaign said that although 28% of adults in Wales are on the donor register, 71% would be willing to donate their organs after their death.The campaign said that although 28% of adults in Wales are on the donor register, 71% would be willing to donate their organs after their death.
Donate Wales also said that every 11 days one person in Wales died while waiting for a transplant.Donate Wales also said that every 11 days one person in Wales died while waiting for a transplant.
Mrs Hart said: "Four hundred and ninety people in Wales are waiting for a transplant. Increasing the number or organs available will save lives.Mrs Hart said: "Four hundred and ninety people in Wales are waiting for a transplant. Increasing the number or organs available will save lives.
"This new year I'll be encouraging friends and family as well as the people of Wales to save a life and join the organ donor register. It only takes two minutes and it really can save a life"."This new year I'll be encouraging friends and family as well as the people of Wales to save a life and join the organ donor register. It only takes two minutes and it really can save a life".
Anyone who wants to join the register can visit the website href="www.donatewales.org">Donate Wales , call 0300 123 23 23, or text SAVE to 84118. Anyone who wants to join the register can visit the website href="http://www.donatewales.org">Donate Wales , call 0300 123 23 23, or text SAVE to 84118.