Organ donation is a very precious gift to someone who needs a transplant. One donor can help up to nine people.
The Organ Donor Register is a confidential computerised data base, it gives legal consent allowing donation to be carried out. The Register is maintained by NHS
Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). Last year almost 942,000 more people joined the Register bringing the total to over 19 million people.
Donors can choose which organs they wish to donate. It is important to emphasise that funerals are not delayed, bodies are not disfigured as organs and tissue are always removed with the greatest of care and respect, and closed as would happen after surgery.
Family refusal rates in the UK are amongst the highest in Europe.
The reluctance to discuss organ donation and let your family know your wishes is a major factor in the shortage of organs. Last year four in ten families refused to allow their loved one's organs to be donated because they did not know their wishes. Consent rates rise to 88% when wishes are known.
This resolution therefore seeks to encourage WI members to discuss their decision about organ donation with their families so that their wishes can be respected upon their death.
The WI is renowned for achieving results. This resolution is down to you, so please talk and decide.
Many thanks and thank you for listening.