Prof Gurch Randhawa, who is Director of the Institute for Health Research, believes that Organ Donation Week (5^th – 11th September) is the perfect opportunity for people to tell their lives ones that they wish to donate their organs when they pass away.

“Organ failure doesn’t discriminate. It affects all ethnic and social class groups and it is vital that organ donors come from all communities as tissue type matching is more successful with people from the same ethnic groups, said Gurch.

Three people die every day waiting for a transplant and there are over 6,500 people currently on the list waiting for one.

“I’ve worked with and in the NHS for the last 20 years and I’ve seen huge improvements in healthcare. However, I’ve seen a lot of people die waiting for an organ transplant due to the lack of organ donors,” said Gurch.

A recent report from NHS Blood & Transplants showed that the rate of people donating an organ has risen to 62%. However, the rate among Black, Asian and minority groups (BAME) is only 34%.

 “My research has shown that people are more likely to engage with sensitive topics such as organ donation, if the topic is discussed in a ‘safe’ environment with trusted peers.

“This can range from places of worship, community groups, schools, colleges, universities, rotary clubs, sports clubs, community based TV and radio media outlets and community based social media sites,” said Gurch.

More information, as well as how to sign the organ donation register, can be found here: www.organdonation.nhs.uk