News Release

5th April 2005

ORGAN DONORS

Michael Fabricant today called for more local people to register as organ donors to support the 10th anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register appeal to register one million more organ donors.

"This year marks the tenth anniversary year of the establishment of the NHS Organ Donor Register. We know that the majority of people support organ donation in principle. Over the last 12 months nearly 1 million people have signed on to the Organ Donor Register - a confidential database of names that confirms an individual's wish to be an organ donor in the event of their death. Currently over 20% of the UK population (over 12 million people) have demonstrated their support by joining the register. The aim is to increase this number to 16 million by 2010", Michael says.

"In this anniversary year I want to encourage more people to register as organ donors. Thousands of people's lives have been saved as a result of an organ transplant, but there are thousands more waiting for an organ donor and many will die waiting for a suitable organ to be donated. Signing up and making sure your relatives are aware of your wish to donate will help them and NHS staff to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

"If you have a donor card but have not put your name on the register, your good intention may not be put into practice if you're not carrying it in the event of your death. 90% of the population say they support organ donation and transplantation, yet only 20% (12 million people) have recorded their wishes to help someone live after they die by joining the ODR."

Michael says "The startling fact is: You are more likely to need a transplant than become a donor."