Last weekend I attended the Transplant Games in Birmingham. I have the privilege of leading for the Government on our campaign to increase organ donation and in so doing save many more lives.
At the games I met medical staff involved in transplantation, donor families, recipients and live donors all united in celebrating the gift of life. It was amazing to see people run, swim and engage in all kinds of sporting endeavour. And a reminder that without the bravery of donors and their families, those competing simply would not be here. It is simply a miracle of medical science that we can save lives in this way.
Last year 3353 transplants took place, but we know that people still die waiting for a transplant and that is why I want to encourage more.
It is also the case that a third of those waiting for a transplant are from black or Asian backgrounds but they make up less than 10% of donors. It is more difficult to find a genetic match while ever we have this rate of donation.
The same is true for blood. Those suffering with sickle cell anaemia require 9 blood donors for a successful course of treatment. Yet we also have lower rates of blood donation from black and Asian communities. The result is that we have a shortage of blood type O.
So I want to encourage everyone to think about giving blood and joining the organ register. Lets save more lives.