- Tuesday, April 16, 2024
By: Pramod Thomas
THE Jain and Hindu Organ Donation Steering Group (JHOD) and NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) have organised a national arts competition to promote organ donation as part of Diwali celebrations.
The competition was held to create awareness about the recent law change and encourage more people from BAME communities, and specifically those from Asian backgrounds, to register their organ donation decision.
Currently, 1,408 people from BAME backgrounds are actively waiting for a transplant, almost one third of all patients waiting in total and for many, particularly for those waiting for kidneys, the best match is likely to come from a person of the same ethnicity, an official statement said.
The winners from the 77 entries received for the competition are -Prisha Jain (11) from Sutton, Greater London, Saanvi Haria (12), from near Harrow and Hillingdon and Demi Ladwa from Amesbury in Wiltshire.
Kirit Modi, chair of JHOD said: “I have been delighted by the success of our ambitious campaign this Diwali and we have all been reminded of the importance of supporting each other during this difficult and testing time. My fellow Hindu and Jain leaders are today asking everyone to think about organ donation during Diwali celebrations. Let us brighten up Diwali this year by thinking about those waiting for an organ transplant and help save lives.”
Altaf Kazi, head of faith and belief engagement at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We have been thrilled by the support shown for organ donation from Hindu and Jain communities. The response to the competition has been overwhelming and it is fantastic to see such a variety of creative excellence from people of all ages. Every day across the UK someone dies waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and people from BAME backgrounds wait longer than white patients for transplants. Often the best match comes from a person of the same ethnicity so I would encourage everyone this Diwali to consider organ donation and speak to their families about their decision to be a donor.”
Figures from NHS Blood and Transplant’s annual report into organ donation and transplantation in Asian communities, reveal promising increases in consent rates and an increase in those from BAME backgrounds being eligible to donate.
The introduction of Max and Keira’s Law – the new law relating to organ and tissue donation in England – which came into effect on 20 May, will lead to an increase in the number of donors of all ethnicities.
“During this pandemic, we have seen multiple examples of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs practising the noblest of our shared values, sewa, or selfless service, supporting the most vulnerable around them. So, I urge you – this Diwali – to take some time to discuss organ donation with your loved ones and make a positive decision to save lives,” said Lord Jitesh Gadhia
For more details- www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
