From the Heart campaign
ITV's From the Heart campaign is looking at the issue of organ donation.
Latest ITV News reports
'An opt-out system would save thousands of lives' says BMA
Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) say that around 650 people in Scotland are currently on the waiting list for a transplant but some will die before they get the chance of a new organ.
The BMA has been campaigning for a soft opt-out system to be introduced, claiming the system could save or transform thousands of lives.
– Gill Hollis, who received a lung transplantI wouldn't be here today without my transplant, so I am incredibly grateful to my donor family; their generosity saved my life.
"But I was one of the lucky ones - I received my transplant in time.
"I've also supported people through the waiting process who did not receive an organ in time, and that's been heartbreaking.
"So, you can see why I feel passionately about initiatives to address the organ shortage.
"An opt-out system would mean that more people could have their lives saved and transformed."
ITV's 'From the Heart' campaign has been encouraging people to consider joining the organ donor register.
Fewer than a third of people in the ITV Border region have signed up to the organ donor register.
If you want to join the organ donor register, you can find further information here.
'Opt-out system for organ donation needed' say leading doctors
Many leading doctors have said that an opt-out system for organ donation would better reflect the views of most Scots.
Practitioners from the British Medical Association (BMA), said that it was time for a 'serious debate' on organ donation.
– Doctor Sue Robertson, Renal physician"All the time we waste now means that more lives will be lost. Now is the time for a serious debate about moving to opt-out."
ITV have been running the 'From the Heart' campaign, which has been encouraging people to consider joining the organ donor register.
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Mother said no to donating her baby son's organs - but regretted it
Shelley Wealleans from Carlisle was asked whether she would donate her baby son's organs when he died at 11 weeks old. She said no, but has regretted it ever since.
Shelley now campaigns to encourage others to become organ donors. If you want to join the organ donor register, find more information at ITV's From the Heart website here.
40% of families say no to organ donation
As part of ITV's From the Heart campaign, ITV Border is looking at organ donation - and how to increase the number of donors.
NHS research shows families asked whether they will donate a relative's organs shortly after their death say no 40% of the time. Even among those who have signed the organ donor register, expressing a wish to donate, one in ten families says no.
ITV Border staff back donor campaign
Some members of staff from ITV Border have been backing the 'From the Heart' campaign.
John Bevir and Matthew Taylor, who both work for ITV Border, are backing the 'From the Heart' campaign.
The ITV campaign is aiming to encourage more people to sign up as organ donors.
Matthew Taylor said:
" I believe that everyone has a duty to think of those who are in desperate need. If you are able to save a life then I think it is an easy decision to make."
Rally champ signs up as organ donor
Dumfries rally driver David Bogie has signed up as an organ donor following ITV's 'From the Heart' campaign.
The four times Scottish rally champion is backing the campaign, which is raising awareness of the organ donor register.
He said:
" I have always been keen to find out more about signing up as an organ donor, but I felt I never really had enough information.
"I have been watching the adverts for the ITV 'From the Heart' campaign on the television and decided to find out more from the website.
"I watched an interview with a man from Dumfries, who is desperately waiting on a donor, and knew then that I wanted to join.
"After a quick registration online, I'm now happy to say that I'm signed up as an organ donor.
"I would urge everyone to consider signing up, as it really can change somebody's life."
You can find more information on how to join, on the dedicated website here.
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From the Heart: Waiting for a kidney transplant
Patients at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary put up with gruelling dialysis, waiting for a transplant that could change their lives.
Read the full storyHundreds waiting on organ donors
This week ITV's 'From the Heart' campaign is looking at the issue of organ donation.
Nearly 400 people throughout the region are waiting for organ transplants.
Patients waiting for kidney transplants in Dumfries have to travel for dialysis at least three times a week, for up to six hours at a time.
From the Heart campaign - how to join the organ donor register
Fewer than a third of people in the ITV Border region have signed up to the organ donor register, which lets doctors know they want to donate their organs if they die in circumstances where that is possible.
This week, as part of ITV's From the Heart, we are looking at the shortage of donors.
If you want to join the organ donor register, you can find further information here.
