Make a real difference in someone’s life

15 June 2016

Make a real difference in someone’s life

Donating an organ after you die is one of the greatest contributions you can make toward transforming – if not saving – another person’s life.

That’s the message that Capital & Coast DHB’s renal transplant nurse team will be promoting at its stall in Hartham Place North, Porirua this week.

From 11am to 1pm on Thursday 16 June the team will be at the stall to check blood pressures, talk about kidney issues and raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

“A single organ donor can transform the lives of up to 10 people. The corneas, heart, heart valves, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, liver and skin can all be transplanted,” said CCDHB renal services donor liaison coordinator Tony Stephens.

“But organ donation rates across the country are still low, while demand for transplants – particularly kidneys – continues to rise. More than 500 people around the country are currently waiting for a kidney transplant, 60 of whom are in Wellington. Some of these people have been waiting for many years.”

Wellington Regional Hospital – which performs transplant surgery for patients in the lower North Island and upper South island – performed 30 kidney transplants last year.

Anyone considering organ donation after death should discuss this with their loved ones to ensure that, if the worst comes, their wishes are carried out and their organs are donated.

“Live kidney donation is also an option. This doesn’t have to be a family member – we regularly perform kidney transplants between friends. Sometimes a stranger will offer a kidney to someone in need. A live kidney donor has many tests to ensure their safety during the surgery and in the future.

“New Zealand needs more organ donations. If more people signed up as organ donors, we’d be able to do more transplants and improve more people’s lives.”

ends

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