Humanists promote organ donation (From Mid Devon Star)

Humanists promote organ donation

5:10pm Thursday 24th July 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

VOLUNTEERS from North Devon Humanists are hoping to encourage more people to consider organ donation.

They will be conducting a survey at the North Devon Show on Wednesday, August 6, into attitudes towards donation and transplantation, asking why more donors don’t come forward.

More than 9,000 people are waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing organ transplant in this country.

Every year about 1,000 people die, still waiting. The rest live on under pain or with limitations to their freedom, until a suitable organ can be found. Around 3,000 each year strike lucky and their lives are transformed as a result.

Just over 25% of UK residents have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register, which means that in the event of their death, their organs may be used to help others.

But to bring hope to the thousands of people waiting for a transplant, more people are needed.

Keith Denby, spokesperson for the North Devon Humanists said: "We hope to register another 50 people onto the organ donor scheme at the show. Please see us on stand N-08 near to Belle Vue Ring."

He added: "As humanists we seek to make the best of the one life we have by creating meaning and purpose for ourselves.

“Humanism is a non-religious ethics-based philosophy founded on reason, compassion, individual human responsibility and the Golden Rule.

“Humanism is the conviction that we can all lead good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs."

Well-known Humanists include the rock star Bob Geldorf and comedian Ricky Gervais, the actors Woody Allen and Angelina Jolie, the authors Philip Pullman and Terry Pratchett, politicians Roy Hattersley and Ken Livingstone.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)