Cambuslang girl Sam backs donor card appeal

Nov 7 2012 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

Having had a lifesaving heart transplant operation last year, Samantha Bell knows the importance of the NHS Organ Donor Register.

And now she is backing the drive for more Scots to talk about organ donation with their loved ones and to join the register.

Sam said: I know Ill get back to full fitness again and I have my donor to thank for that. They gave me the gift of life and I cant thank their family enough.

Joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is the most amazing thing anyone can do. I would encourage everyone to take two minutes and join now. Remember to let your family know what your wishes are so they can act on them if necessary.

I think, having had the heart problem for such a long time, that most of my friends and family are donor card carriers now.

By doing it, you dont really realise you are saving someones life - and five or six organs could be used to help different people.

I know if a member of my family passed away and had donated their organs, I would be able to take real comfort from that.

I feel privileged that I was able to get a heart that was a perfect match for myself. Without it, I know what would have happened. I wouldnt have been on the heart pump as a temporary measure.

Sam hopes to return to work in the next couple of months.

Public health minister Michael Matheson said: I am very grateful to Samantha for telling her story and for backing our new campaign to get people talking about organ donation and increase the number of people on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Samanthas story is a very real example of how important organ donation is, and how joining the register could save lives.

This new campaign has two simple yet equally important messages join the register and have a chat about organ donation with your family and loved ones.

It can be easy to put off such conversations but the reality is that more than 600 people in Scotland are waiting for a life-saving transplant and across the UK three people die every day because they dont get the organ they need in time.

That 40 per cent of Scots are now on the register - more than ever before and higher than the UK average of 31 per cent shows we are on the right track.

New figures show that, as of October 4, a total of 2,116,475 people in Scotland are signed up to be organ donors.

Join the NHS Organ Donor Register by visiting www.organdonationscotland.org or by texting LIFE TO 61611.

More than 600 people in Scotland are still waiting for a life-saving transplant.