A Heartwarming Act of a Dying Baby Inspires Millions to Register as Donors in UK

Over 5,00,000 people have signed up to the NHS Organ Donor Register between April and August after the story of Britain’s youngest organ donor was told.

It represents an extra 100,000 registrations compared to the same period in 2014.

A New Guide Helps to Discuss Consent on Organ Donation With Patients in UK
Human Tissue Authority developed a guide to encourage more people to make the decision to be an organ donor and to tell their family about the same.

In April, Teddy Houlston who lived for just 100 minutes become the youngest person in Britain to donate organs to save someone else’s life.

Media coverage encouraged redears to spread the word about Teddy’s story on social media such as Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #TeddysStory.

A new research by the NHS found that almost 12 million Brits are aware of Teddy’s story. More than four million people say the story has made them consider whether they would donate their children’s or babies organs.

100 Days Countdown Begins for Opt-Out System for Organ Donation in Wales
Wales will become the first country in the UK to introduce opt-out system on December 1. The new system makes it easier for people to choose whether or not to become organ donors.

Senior NHS officials said that it is a real breakthrough because of the 6912 patients currently waiting for a transplant in the UK, 193 are children.

Teddy’s dad Mike Houlston, 31, said, “We are proud of Teddy’s legacy. It shows he’s a hero.”

Focus on Community-Level As Important As Individual Factors To Increase Organ Donations
Community-level sociodemographic and social capital variables explain more than half the variation observed in organ donor registrations in Massachusetts.

Mike and fiancee Jess Evans, 29, were honored with a Special Recognition award at the Pride of Britain Awards.

Jess said, “Losing Teddy was always going to leave a big hole in our family, but seeing what a difference he has made makes our loss easier.”

17-year-old American Student Creates Two-minute Video on the Need for Organ Donation
The video was developed for a competition, ‘Legacy of Life Essay and Video Scholarships’ with the idea to make more people sign up as organ donors.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said, “We’re grateful to Mike and Jess for sharing their baby son’s story. Without doubt their story has had an impact.”

Source-Medindia