PEOPLE living in Merseyside are being asked to act now; because you could be a lifesaver. NHS Blood and Transplant, which oversees organ donation in the UK, is calling on everyone in the county to add their name and decision to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Every organ donor can save up to 9 lives after they die by giving their organs to patients waiting for a transplant.

27 people in Merseyside became organ donors after their death in 2021/22. And 53 patients waiting for a transplant in Merseyside received a life-changing gift last year.

 1 person who knows the difference organ donation makes to donor families, as well as transplant recipients, is Chris Eaton. Chris’ wife Claire Eaton, 34, from Ainsdale, died and donated her organs to save the lives of others. Chris and their daughter Daisy received the Order of St John Award for organ donation, on behalf of Claire, in 2022, in recognition of her life-saving gift.

Chris said:- “When the staff at the Hospital approached us and asked about organ donation they informed us that Claire had joined the organ donor register twice! This was so reminiscent of Claire and made me smile during the hardest time of my life. Claire was strong-willed and when she felt strongly about something she gave it her all, but she was also a very busy Mum to Daisy and would sometimes forget she had done something so would do it again to double-check and be extra sure.”

Claire saved the lives of five people after she sadly passed away due to meningitis in early 2020. Claire donated her kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs. Chris adds:- “5 sets of families and friends have not had to go through what we are living with and this brings me some peace. Receiving the award on behalf of Claire was lovely. We saw some of the staff that looked after Claire and this was really nice. We also felt that we weren’t alone by meeting some of the other families at the ceremony. Organ donation is a true reflection of Claire’s selfless nature and as a family, we are so unbelievably proud of her. Our beautiful girl did not do things by halves and by joining the register twice we had no hesitation in agreeing. She has inspired more of her family and friends to join the register too.”

Thanks to incredible organ donors and their families thousands of lives are saved each year however around 7,000 people are still waiting for their transplants, including:- 139 people in Merseyside.

People in the county are being urged to make sure their families, who will always be involved if organ donation is a possibility, know what they want so they can support their decision to save lives. By adding your name and decision to the register, your family will be in no doubt.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:- “You could be a lifesaver, which is an amazing legacy to leave; organ donation saves lives. Families will always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead and are more likely to support your decision if they know it is what you wanted. Please add your name and decision to the NHS Organ Donor Register to help save more lives. It takes just two minutes to sign up to be a lifesaver, online or using the NHS App.”

Search organ donation online, visit:- OrganDonation.NHS.UK or use the NHS App.