WHILE we all look forward to spending Christmas with loved ones and exchanging gifts, there are 81 people in Dorset desperately hoping for the gift of an organ.

This December, the Dorset Echo is teaming up with NHS Blood and Transplant to urge as many people as possible to sign up to the donor register.

Sadly, not all of those waiting will get the transplant they need.

Twenty-eight people in Dorset have died while on the transplant waiting list during the past five years, and their families will be facing Christmas without them.

Seven in Weymouth and Portland and 14 in West Dorset are currently waiting for a transplant.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville said: “There is no greater gift than the gift of life, so we are calling on all our readers to make the ultimate difference this Christmas and sign up to be a donor.”

PEOPLE from Dorset who gave the ultimate gift of life through organ donation have been honoured posthumously at an award ceremony.

The Order of St John award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant, has been presented to the families and loved ones of those who saved and improved people’s lives through organ donation.

The private award ceremony was held at St John Ambulance’s premises in Swindon, with the awards presented by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Bill Fishlock.

Hundreds of families have attended regional ceremonies across the UK between September and December to receive the award in memory of their loved ones whose deaths saved lives and gave hope.

People recognised at the ceremony in Swindon included: l Chris Dicker from Shaftesbury, who was represented by his partner, Claire Gosling and sister, Sarah Wiltshire.

l John Salter from Gillingham, who was represented by his widow, Sheila Salter, niece, Susan Timbrell-Whittle, and daughter, Karen Blackman.

NHS Blood and Transplant and the Order of St John are both keen to recognise the incredible gift that donors and their families have made by donating their organs to save and improve the lives of others.

Bob Sanderson, district manager for St John Ambulance, said: “We’re delighted to be able to work with NHS Blood and Transplant to run the Organ Donor Awards for a second year.

“Organ donation can clearly save lives and it is also vitally important to say thank you to the families whose loved ones have already donated their organs.

“With around three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act to help others to live. We hope the example they set will encourage many more to follow in their footsteps and agree to become an organ donor.”

April 2013 to March 2014, saw the largest ever number of deceased organ donors as the families of 1,320 people in the UK agreed to donate their loved ones’ organs, leading to thousands of patients’ lives being saved or transformed.

Sally Johnson, director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We launched this award scheme last year and were overwhelmed by the pride and experiences shared by the hundreds of families who accepted the award on their loved one’s behalf.

“It never ceases to amaze me just how humble people are when you speak to them about having helped to save the lives of patients who were desperately ill. I have never spoken to a single person who has ever regretted their decision to donate.

“These families deserve this honour and recognition of their life-saving gifts. We hope their bravery will inspire others to talk about their own wishes with people close to them and record their intention to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”


Join now: To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit organdonation.
nhs.uk, call 0300 123 23 23 or text SAVE to 62323. Once you’ve signed up tell those closest to you that you want to donate