Organ Donation Week events

Events are taking place at Guy’s and St Thomas’ to celebrate Organ Donation Week which runs from Monday 5 to Sunday 11 September.

Please come and meet the team who will be available to answer any questions you may have about organ donation from 10am to 3pm on both Tuesday 6 September in Tower Wing reception at Guy’s Hospital and Thursday 8 September in birdsong corridor at St Thomas’.

There will also be an information stand from 8am to 2pm on Thursday 8 September on St Thomas Street (opposite The Shard).

NHS Blood and Transplant has organised the annual awareness week – previously known as Transplant Week – since 2009 to promote the importance of people discussing their organ donation decision with their families.

This year there will be a renewed focus on the importance of organ donation and celebrating those who have saved lives by signing up to the organ donor register.

Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, says: "Organ Donation Week gives everyone across the UK a special week to celebrate organ donors and their families, and to consider and talk to family and friends about whether they are prepared to emulate our special donors and make the decision to donate their organs too.

"People waiting for transplants depend on people being willing to donate their organs and, sadly, on average three people die every day across the UK due to a shortage of donated organs.

"We know families are much more likely to support a relative’s decision to donate at a time of grief if they know that it what their relative wanted."

How can you join the NHS organ donor register?

• Online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate
• Phone 0300 123 23 23
• When you register for a driving licence, register at a GP surgery, apply for a Boots Advantage Card, or register for a European Health Insurance card (EHIC).