UK's Oldest Existing Motoring Club On Track To Boost Life-saving Campaign

Main Category: Transplants / Organ Donations
Article Date: 28 Feb 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The country's oldest existing motorsport club is giving a boost to the drive to encourage more people to become potential lifesavers by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.

The 1,800-member Midland Automobile Club - which was founded in Birmingham on 11 January 1901 - is backing the call for more drivers and riders to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

Club secretary, Roger Thomas, of Stockton-on-Teme, near Worcester, said: "Midland Automobile Club is proud to support NHS UK Transplant's partnership with the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) as this is a positive way of addressing the national organ donor shortage."

Every spring, UK Transplant sends out millions of information leaflets containing application forms in a "piggyback" mailing with DVLA vehicle tax licence reminders to encourage people to join the NHS ODR.

A total of 9.6 million leaflets are being sent out over a three-month period in a joint campaign by the DVLA and UK Transplant to encourage more people to join the register.

The We've signed up. Have you? campaign at the end of February, March and April will appeal to motorists to discuss their wishes with their loved ones and families and sign up to give the gift of life in the event of their death.

In 2004, the DVLA agreed to mail registration forms with 15 million vehicle tax licence reminders. The scheme was so successful that since then a further 15.7 million forms have been mailed.

To date, more than 7.1 million people have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register via the DVLA in Swansea to give the "gift of life" after their death, either through ticking a box on driving licence application forms or after receiving a vehicle tax licence reminder.

Maxine Walter, UK Transplant's Head of Communications, said: "Transplants save and transform lives but the shortage of donated organs means that around 1,000 people a year die while waiting or lose their lives before they event get on the transplant list.

"Many of the people who do get a transplant receive organs donated by a living donor but others know they will have to depend upon the generosity of a complete stranger who has volunteered to donate their organs for transplantation after their death.

"Surveys show that nine out of ten people support the principle of organ donation but only one in five have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register. The more people who are willing to donate after their death, the more lives can be saved."

There are currently over 15 million people on the NHS Organ Donor Register. If you would like to add your name, please ring 0845 60 60 400 or register online at http://www.uktransplant.org.uk

UK Transplant

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