THE law around organ and tissue donation in Scotland is changing to an opt-out system in a bid to save and improve lives.
The change, from today, means that if people aged 16 and over haven’t recorded a decision about donation, they will be considered a possible donor if they die in circumstances in which they could donate. A national campaign, running in the lead up to the law change, highlights that everyone in Scotland has a choice – to be a donor or to opt out – and reinforces the importance of people making their donation decision known.
Backing the campaign, a woman able to honour her husband’s organ donation decision, is encouraging people to have that vital conversation with loved ones.
Elaine Kennedy, 45, from Viewpark in Uddingston, lost husband David, 43, in March 2019 following an accident at work.
She shared how knowing David wanted to donate, after a chance conversation when she was renewing her driving licence, made it easier for her and David’s family. He went on to donate his kidneys, liver and pancreas, transforming the lives of many.
People can record their decision to be a donor or to opt out on the NHS Organ Donor Register at any time. If people do nothing when the law changes, it will be assumed they agree to donate, unless they are in a group for whom the law does not apply.
Elaine and David had known each other since the age of four, but reconnected in 2008 and were engaged just three months later, marrying in 2011 and enjoying life with their two dogs.
One evening at work, David sustained significant injuries, which resulted in him having a stroke and developing other complications. Involved in organ donations from the professional side, when it became clear it “wasn’t looking good for David”, nurse Elaine informed the doctor he was a donor. She explained: “David was able to donate both his kidneys, his pancreas and his liver. It’s bittersweet – you never want to find yourself in that position, but the fact that there’s three recipients and families out there who may have been given a quality of life they didn’t have before, has helped in our devastation.”
There is an average of around 500 people waiting on an organ transplant at any one time, however only around 1% of people die in a way that makes organ donation possible.
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