Bassetlaw Hospital turns pink to support organ donation week

As of this year, all adults are automatically considered for organ donation when they die – with individuals having to specifically opt out if they wish to be excluded from this process.

Organ donation is incredibly important – transplants can save or transform the life of a person and it is estimated that just one organ and tissue donor can benefit the lives of more than ten people.

The local trust, which operates Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital, fully supported organ donation week and and on the evening of Tuesday, September 8, illuminated its Doncaster site pink – joining other buildings across the country, in support of the nationwide campaign.

David Purdue, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at the trust, said: “As an organisation we are enormously proud to lend our support to organ donation week.

"This service is incredibly important and vital to the work of the NHS, and we encourage families to talk about this.

“While we don’t often like to discuss death, by donating an organ or tissue, individuals can impact the lives of so many in such a positive way, leaving a truly profound legacy for those who are no longer with us.”

In further support, the trust’s Bassetlaw Hospital site was lit up pink in on Thursday, September 10 between 8pm and 9pm.

If you wish to find out more about the work of NHS Blood and Transport, campaign, click here.

NHS figures show that there are currently 4,364 people in the UK who are awaiting an organ transplant operation – an operation that could save their lives.

Since April, and despite the restrictions and challenges posed by the Covid-19 outbreak, 1,263 people in the UK have had an organ transplant.

Last year, there were 5,699 organ transplant operations carried out in the UK.

For more information about organ donation, click here.