THURSDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER, 2025

Photograph attached: L-R NHS Tayside live renal coordinator Claire Moir, specialist nurse – Organ Donation Lynne Malley and pre-dialysis nurse Ashley Wilkie

NHS Tayside supports Organ and Tissue Donation Week

NHS Tayside is supporting Organ Donation Week from 22-29 September with an information stand at Ninewells Hospital giving staff, patients and the public the opportunity to speak to transplant recipients, specialist nurses and consultants about Organ and Tissue donation.

More than 50% of Scots have already joined the Organ Donor Register. At any one time, due to a shortage of organs, more than 500 people in Scotland are waiting for an organ to become available to give them the transplant they desperately need.

This Organ Donation Week, (22-29 September) NHS Tayside will be encouraging people across Scotland to make their organ donation decision known and explain the importance of sharing your organ donation decision with loved ones to make it easier for them to honour a choice. 

The information stand at Ninewells Hospital gives patients, staff and the public the opportunity to stop by to ask questions and receive information on organ donation Wednesday - Friday from 10am until 3pm. There will also be an opportunity for visitors, patients and staff to speak to transplant recipients about their successful transplants.

One recipient is Angela Docherty who received a lifesaving heart transplant on Christmas Day several years ago. Angela’s transplant took place at the Golden Jubilee Hospital, where she was listed for an urgent transplant and waited just 17 days in hospital until a suitable donor was found.

Angela said, “Suddenly I was given a new heart and could do all of these amazing things that I had never been able to do before. Within a week of my transplant, I was in the gym with physiotherapists. I danced at my wedding the year after.

“I now get to enjoy life by the sea in my home along the Angus coast where I go for walks with my husband without needing to stop.

“Whatever you decide, it’s important to make sure your donation decision is known to your family and friends. I would encourage anybody who hasn’t already done so to make your decision known to your loved ones.”

Lynne Malley, Specialist Nurse - Organ Donation said, “Recording and sharing your donation decision and your latest views is important, as this will make it easier for your family and friends to help ensure that your decision is honoured. They can also make sure any particular needs you have in line with your faith or beliefs are taken into consideration.

“If you die in the rare circumstances where organ and tissue donation may be a possibility, the doctors and nurses caring for you will discuss donation with your family as part of the end-of-life care discussions.

“Register your donation decision and find out more at www.organdonation.scot or call 0300 123 2323.”

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138