NEWPORT’s Civic Centre will be lit up pink every night this week to mark Organ Donation Week.
Starting yesterday and running until Sunday, September 26, the centre will be lit up to mark the week – the theme this year is “have a chat – leave them certain”, to encourage people to talk to their loved ones about organ donation and their own decisions.
One Newport resident has spoken about how her conversation with her daughter about organ donation led to a number of people’s lives being changed.
Angela Matthews had signed up to be an organ donor. She carried her donor card and made sure that her family were aware of her wishes. She died at the age of 20 and her organs have changed a number of other lives.
Mum Carol said: “Losing Angela was devastating for us as a family and for her friends. She was such a caring person and that was reflected in her wish that, if anything happened to her, she wanted to be an organ donor.
“Angela’s choice was so important to her and, by telling us that was what she wanted, it was a comfort for us at such a sad and difficult time. It is important that people not only take the decision to donate their organs, but that they tell their family and friends. Have the conversation now and don’t leave them with any doubts in the future.
“We know that the donations made a difference to the lives of other people and might even have saved lives. That was Angela’s legacy, and we are so proud of her.”
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Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “I would like to thank Carol for sharing her moving story and I’m sure it will encourage others to make sure they talk to their families about organ donation and what they want to happen.
“In 2019, Newport hosted the inspirational British Transplant Games. It was fantastic to see the transplant patients of all ages take part in the challenges, the awesome staff who carry out this vital work and the courageous families of donors.
“Make a decision, register it, and then tell your family so they have no doubts about what you want to happen and will be more likely to support that decision. One day you could be giving the most precious of gifts to one or more people.”
Find out more about organ donation here https://gov.wales/organ-donation-campaign
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