Notts County players have encouraged supporters to get behind a life-saving cause, in association with Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH).
The squad donned ‘Be a hero’ t-shirts for the warm-up ahead of the npower League 1 meeting with MK Dons on New Year’s Day, urging fans to join the Organ Donor Register (ODR) in 2013.
More than 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant and, of these, 1,000 each year – that's three a day - will die waiting, as there are not enough organs available.
Anyone can register on the ODR.
Age is not a barrier to being an organ or tissue donor and neither are most medical conditions.
People in their 70s and 80s have become donors and saved many lives.
Last year at the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, 13 donors allowed 39 patients to benefit from 40 organs.
This generosity also accounted for the 95 kidney transplants carried out at Nottingham’s hospitals.
Dale Gardiner, clinical lead for organ donation at NUH, said: “One donor can save the life of several people, restore the sight of two others and improve the quality of life of many more.
“The more people who pledge to donate their organs and tissue after their death, the more people stand to benefit.
“Organ donation is the greatest gift one person can give to another in peacetime.
"Make it your resolution to join the Organ Donor Register this year.”
Charmaine Buss (pictured left with County goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski), specialist nurse for organ donation at NUH, added: "Organ donation is something that the majority of people are willing to support; yet joining the Organ Donation Register often gets put off or forgotten.
“By increasing awareness of the importance of donation we want people to join their local heroes and make a New Year's Resolution to join the Organ Donation Register.
“Our thanks go to staff and players at Notts County FC for their support."
Notts chairman Ray Trew was more than happy for the club to support the campaign and also encouraged fans to show their support.
He said: “We are very pleased to support the ‘Be a hero’ campaign by Nottingham University Hospitals.
“Joining the Organ Donor Register is very important as it can make a massive difference to those people directly affected.
“As a man with a family I would ask everyone to discuss this important matter with their loved ones and make the pledge to join the Organ Donor Register."
Further information can be found below:
PASS IT ON
If you have joined the ODR you need to tell your family and loved ones that you have registered and that in the event of your death you wish to donate your organs.
If your wishes are not clear, the person closest to you in life will be asked what they think you would have wanted, so it’s important that you make sure they’re aware of your views on organ donation.
JOINING THE ODR
• Visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk
• Call: 0300 123 23 23
• Text: SAVE to 84118
You can also join when you are:
• Registering for a driving licence
• Applying for a Boots Advantage card
• Registering at a GP surgery
• Registering for a European Health Insurance card (EHIC)
DID YOU KNOW?
• 10,000 currently need a transplant in the UK, and three people die every day whilst waiting.
• Whilst 96% of us would take an organ if we needed one, only 28% of us are on the register.
• Simply carrying a donor card does not mean you are on the register, you need to sign up to join the database from this website.
• Anyone can register on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Age isn't a barrier to being an organ and/or tissue donor, and nor are most medical conditions.