WIREDGOV

One family who knows the importance of organ donation is the Raffours of Cardiff. First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, and Health Minister Mark Drakeford, visited the Raffour family to hear first hand how the change in the law will save and change lives across Wales.

Laura Raffour speaks directly from the heart about the enormous challenges faced by her four-year old daughter Ava, who was born with biliary atresia, a life-threatening condition of the liver. Ava underwent heart surgery and two liver transplants before her first birthday. In total she has undergone over 60 operations.

Mum Laura said:

“She’s doing brilliantly and has just started school. My husband Nathan and I are immensely proud of her and are in awe of the courage she has already shown in her young life.”

“Unless you’re affected personally or come into contact with someone in need of an organ donation, signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register is just not a priority.  I’d never been against donating, but, like many other people, I had never got round to it.  My family knew I was in favour, but I just hadn’t done anything formal about it. Until we encountered Ava’s problems we hadn’t had to think about it.  

“And that’s why I think the changes to the organ donation law being introduced by the Welsh  Government are so very, very important.”

The website explains the new law in detail but also tells the true stories of people in Wales who have been affected in different ways by organ donation. Some have lost loved ones in tragic circumstances and agreed to donate their organs to save the lives of others.

Others have been surprised to discover loved ones had signed up to the NHS OrgaDonor Register. Some are seriously ill individuals who are on the transplant waiting list, hoping that their call will come in time. Others have received the gift of life from live donors who have gone on to lead normal and healthy lives.

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said:

“Organ donation is an issue that does not discriminate and could affect every one of us. It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but a discussion with the family around the table over Sunday lunch is one way of letting everyone know each other’s wishes on organ donation.

“There is a significant lack of organs available for transplant in both Wales and the UK.  Currently over 200 people in Wales are on transplant waiting lists.  In 2012/13, out of 244 potential donors in Wales only 52 of those became actual donors. This is a statistic we want to see improved so that we save more lives.”

Health Minister Mark Drakeford added:

“I’d urge everyone to take a look at our new organ donation Wales website and see for themselves how organ donation can, and does, impact on people’s lives.  

“With the launch of this website, we have started our two year communication programme to ensure everyone in Wales is made aware of this significant piece of new legislation, and their choices, before it comes into force on 1st December 2015.”