Black and Asian organ donors needed, UK

By David Hardiman | Enfield Independent

ORGAN donors are desperately needed from ethnic minorities in North London, according to NHS nurses.

Figures released by NHS Blood and Transport show that there are currently 149 people with a 'N' postcode waiting for a transplant – and 92 of these are from black and Asian backgrounds.

Black and Asian people have to wait three times longer than the average patient for an organ, and now the NHS is launching a campaign to get more people to sign up.

Julie Whitney, a specialist nurse at NHS Blood and Transport, said: “62 per cent of those waiting for an organ transplant in North London are from ethnic communities and the majority need a kidney transplant.

“Successful transplants can be carried out between people from different ethnic groups, but patients from the same ethnic group are more likely to be a close match.

“To ensure all patients have the opportunity of a successful transplant it is absolutely vital that people from all ethnic backgrounds join the Organ Donation Register.”

As well as encouraging more people from the black and Asian communities to sign up, the NHS is urging those already on the register to discuss their decision with their families to ensure their wishes are respected.

To add your name to the NHS Organ Donor Register, call 0300 123 23 23 or click here.