Minorities urged to give the gift of life

THE UK government has announced a new campaign focusing on raising awareness within ethnic minority communities of or­gan donation.

NHS Blood and Transplant figures re­vealed that 21 per cent of people who died on the waiting list last year were from a BAME background compared with 15 per cent ten years ago.

Last year, one in 10 patients who needed a transplant sadly passed away were Asian.

Aari Patel, three, died in 2016 but was able to save the lives of two children through organ donation. His parents Jay and Sina Patel said doctors were surprised the matter of donation was raised before being asked.

“If Aari couldn’t be helped any further, Sina and I felt strongly that we wanted Aari to help others,” Aari’s father said. “We did not want another family to suffer losing their child or loved one.”

The scheme hopes to increase donation rates by educating minority groups and opening conversations on the issue.

Jackie Doyle-Price, Conservative MP and health minister, said although she was “delighted” that more people than ever from minority backgrounds have received transplants, they are still more at risk of needing a life-changing donor.

“Our project will start with a community investment scheme to enable local groups to deliver this vital work,” she said.

“For now, I would ask on behalf of every­one who has received a transplant, and everyone who is waiting for the life-chang­ing news that an organ has been found – sign up to donate and give the gift of life.”