Celebrities back new campaign to urge Black and Asian London communities to join the NHS organ donor register

Currently, more than 60%[1] of patients awaiting organ transplants in London are from Black and Asian communities – 802 people – yet these communities account for less than 2% ² of people who have signed the ODR.

Gifted artist Jane Dalton-Brown from London, was only 29 when she died in a tragic pedestrian accident after being hit by a truck. She fulfilled her beliefs when she donated her organs for transplant to help others after her death.

Her brother Lloyd, who agreed to donate his sister Jane’s organs, said: “Before her accident, Jane discussed with her friends what she would have wanted if the worst was to happen, so the decision to donate her organs was made easier. I know Jane would have been glad that her wish to donate was fulfilled because her organs helped transform the lives of five people with life-threatening conditions.

“It’s such a devastating time when you lose someone. It is so important that the Black community are aware of organ donation. Very few donate their organs even though there is such a long waiting list of patients desperately needing them.”

Swati Bhagat, 30, from Harrow, donated her left kidney to her mum, Kanchan Bhagat, who had lived with chronic kidney disease for twelve years. At a regular check up, it was revealed that her condition had started to deteriorate and that she would have to begin regular hospital dialysis.

Swati said: “I just wanted my mum in my life for as long as possible and if it meant that I had to give her a kidney then that was what I was going to do. We have an even stronger family bond now and I’m so pleased to have been able to help my mum in such a profound way.”

“Most people would accept a donated organ if they needed one, but fewer than 2% of people on the register are Black and Asian. If you’d be willing to receive a donated organ, you should be willing to donate and join the Register.”

Black and Asian people are more susceptible to illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease, which may result in organ failure and the need for a lifesaving transplant, but because of a lack of suitable organs, they often wait up to three times as long for a transplant than the general population.

Daina Moyo, Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation at NHSBT, said: “It is vital that more Black and Asian people join the NHS Organ Donor Register. The message is quite simple – more Black and Asian patients will have the opportunity to receive a life-saving transplant if more people from those communities join the Register.

“Transplants can be carried out between people from different ethnic groups, but an organ is more likely to be a close match, and as a result a transplant is much more likely to be successful, if the donor and recipient have the same ethnic origin. Becoming an organ donor means that you could help save or enhance up to nine lives.”

A host of celebrities are getting behind the campaign, which will see roadshows held in six city centres across the country over the next few months to highlight the need for more organ donors. Starting in London, the roadshows then visit the cities of Birmingham, Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Leicester. Teams will be visiting shopping centres, churches, temples and supermarkets in a bid to boost Black and Asian numbers on the ODR.

TV Chef, Ainsley Harriottsaid: “Organ donation is an issue most people don’t consider until someone they love becomes ill and needs a transplant. Or people think about it but don’t get round to actually signing up. Please let today be different – join the NHS Organ Donor Register and you could help to save or transform the lives of up to nine people.”

Riz Ahmed, Actor, said: “All I needed to do was to look at it from the point of view of the recipient and their family. When you imagine the difference you might be able to make to a family or a community, why wouldn’t you want to sign up? If it was someone from my family needing an organ transplant I know I’d be desperate to get them the transplant they needed.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or www.facebook.com/organdonationuk, call the NHS Donor Line on

0300 123 00 00 or text ORGAN to 64118

To find your nearest event please visit www.facebook.com/organdonationuk