Chairperson Highlights the Importance of Organ Donation in Saving Lives

The Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Laura Devlin will light up Newry Town Hall and Down Leisure Centre pink to mark Organ Donation Week. The buildings will be lit up at 9pm every night from 8 to 13 September.

The Council is supporting local Health Trusts who are promoting the importance of organ donation within Northern Ireland and encouraging members of the public to sign up to be organ donors. 

Last year nine people died in Northern Ireland waiting for an organ transplant and currently 46% of the population here are on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Many people do not realise that their family’s support is necessary for organ donation to go ahead. Signing the Organ Donor register and talking to your family about the decision could therefore help save lives.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin said, “Organ donation is vitally important in saving lives within the community and many members of the public know someone that has been affected by this issue.

“The hope with this campaign is to encourage more people to ‘tick and tell’ — people should tick “yes” to be an organ donor and talk about their wishes with family and friends so their close family are aware of their wish to be an organ donor, with the added hope that family and friends will also follow their lead.”

For more information on signing the Organ Donor Register visit www.organdonationni.info. Alternative telephone the NHS Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23. Lines are open 24 hours a day all year round.