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From spring 2020, all adults in England will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

 NHS Blood and Transplant launches the year-long national campaign, ‘Pass it on’, to increase awareness and understanding of the organ donation law change, which comes into place next year, across England.

An online survey of 2187 people carried out for NHS Blood and Transplant in January 2019, found only 37% of people over 16 were aware that the law around organ donation was changing.

The campaign, ‘Pass it on’, aims to highlight organ donation and the law change on several different levels:

• Organ donation is a precious gift: you can save and transform up to nine lives by passing on your organs
• Make and share your decision: It’s your choice whether or not you want to donate.  Make your decision and pass it on to those closest to you
• Spread the word: Help pass on the message about the change in the law around organ donation in England, and what it means, to others

The ‘Pass it on’ campaign is being supported by charities and community groups, including British Heart Foundation, Kidney Care UK, Donor Family Network, Share Your Wishes, ACLT and National BAME Transplant Alliance.

Jackie Doyle-Price, Minister for Inequalities said: “Far too many people in need of an organ transplant are still dying on a waiting list. We hope that Max and Keira’s Law will save hundreds of lives when it comes into effect next year – but until then, it’s vital people understand what the new law means for them. I want to reassure everyone that choosing to give the gift of life still is and always will remain a personal decision.

Want to join the Organ Donation Register?

Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk 

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation, Whatever your decision, make your choice clear to your family and closest friends to ensure your choice is honoured.

One donor can save or transform up to nine lives through organ donation and save and transforms even more by donating tissue.

Exclusions include: people under 18, people who lack the capacity to understand the change and people who have lived in England for less than 12 months before their death or who are not living here voluntarily.