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10 June 2002
Dial 0845 60 60 400 to save lives
Saving someone’s life is now as easy as picking up the telephone. For
the first time ever, anyone who wants to help someone else to live after their
death can join the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR) by ringing the Organ Donor
Line on 0845 60 60 400.
The Organ Donor Line already takes over 30,000 calls each year, handling everything
from public enquiries about organ donation to literature orders. Now, in response
to public demand, the telephone registration scheme has been set up to give
people another, simple way to sign up as a potential organ donor.
The initiative is a joint effort between UK Transplant, who are responsible
for the ODR as well as matching and allocating donated organs, and Broadsystem
based in central Bristol, who have operated the Organ Donor Line for nearly
four years.
“ Most people phoning the Organ Donor Line already feel positive about
donation,” says Angie Burton, UK Transplant’s Marketing and Campaigns
Manager, “so, by giving them the opportunity to join the NHS Organ Donor
Register there and then, we hope that even more callers will decide to sign up.”
Over 10.4 million people are already registered on the ODR, nearly 18% of the
UK population. UK Transplant aims to increase this figure to 16 million by
2010. The ODR gives a clear indication of a potential donor’s wishes
and with more people registered, more lives can be saved.
The new scheme adds even more choice to anyone who wants to join the ODR. People
can also register online at www.uktransplant.org.uk or by filling in the form
on an organ donation leaflet.
Angie adds, “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to register
in the way that suits them best. Whichever way they choose it is still vitally
important for them to tell their relatives about their wishes. We know that
family members rarely object to donation if they know their relative wanted
to help someone after their death.”
The Organ Donor Line will continue to answer queries and send out information.
For further information please contact:
Paul Gill at Broadsystem
Tel: 01753 433 000, Fax 01753 433 333
Email:
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