During Organ Donation Week (Monday 20 to Sunday 26 September) members of the Teesside BAME community are being urged to discuss their decision about donating organs with their loved ones.
People from black and Asian communities are more likely to need a transplant and organ transplants within ethnic groups are often more successful. However, donations are less common so people often wait longer for an organ. Sadly, too many die while waiting.
Family members are asked for permission before a donation takes place and we are backing the NHS Blood and Transplant’s ‘Leave Them Certain’ campaign which aims for everyone to discuss organ donation.
Dr Tara Mane is the Trust’s clinical lead for organ donation. She said: “As both a doctor and an Asian woman, I understand both sides of this issue.
“Donating organs is not prohibited by many religions. And I can assure everyone that organ donors are treated with the upmost respect.
“It’s sad but too many black and Asian people are needlessly dying while they wait for an organ.
“Please discuss your decision about organ donation with your loved one and family and convey your wishes. Please leave them certain.”
Dr Tara Mane’s appeal for BAME donors
To help get this vital message out to the BAME community Tara has recorded a short video appeal.
Appeal for BAME organ donors
I’m Dr Tara Mane, I’m a consultant in anaesthetics and intensive care at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
At present, there are around 6,000 people in the UK waiting for a transplant and nearly 30 of them are from black, Asian and ethnic minority groups.
To an extent, transplant is about getting the best match between the donor and the recipient and the closest match is generally found between the same ethnic communities.
Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups of patients have to wait significantly longer to get a transplant or to get a successful match. And this is because there are less organ donors in this group.
Organ donation is an act of generosity and it is not against most of religious beliefs.
Last year there was a change in organ donation law in the UK, moving on to opt-out system. Under this law, all adults have considered to have agreed for organ donation unless they opt out.
Still people have their own choice and families are always involved.
Family’s consent and family’s permission is always needed before any organ donation goes ahead so please talk to your loved ones about organ donation and convey your wishes to them.
Leave them certain. It can save many lives.
More information about organ donation
One donor can save up to nine lives and a further 40 can live healthier lives through tissue donation.
The NHS website has further information about issues around ethnicity and organ donation.
To find out more and register your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register and share your decision with your family. Users of the NHS app, can also use this to record, check or amend their details or decision.
