Tuesday 20 November 2012

Club backs Organ Donation Campaign

In a bid to help the 600 Scots who are desperately waiting on a life-saving transplant, Livingston FC is urging fans to have a chat about organ donation and sign-up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

As the team took on SFL Division One rivals Falkirk FC on Saturday (17 November), over 1,400 football supporters were encouraged to think about organ donation when the Scottish Government’s national roadshow tour visited Almondvale Stadium.

Staff were on hand to answer questions on organ donation and spoke directly to over 450 fans. An announcement was also made at half-time to get everyone in attendance thinking about how they could change lives by joining the Register. 

Speaking about his support for the Scottish Government’s nationwide campaign, Livingston FC defender, Paul Watson said: “It’s amazing to think that saying the seven words ‘I want to be an organ donor’ could save up to seven lives.

“I hope the hundreds of fans at the match on Saturday took a minute to think about organ donation and signing-up to the NHS Organ Donor Register. You can help other people live after you go.  Don’t leave it until it is too late, join the Register now.”

Charles Burnett, Livingston FC’s commercial director said organ donation is an emotive issue that the whole club wanted to get behind. He said: “We’ve always prided ourselves in being at the heart of the community and we want to do more to help increase the number of people in Lothian on the NHS Organ Donor Register. 

“Hundreds of people across the country are waiting on a transplant and they could be helped if more Scots registered as organ donors.

“We’re asking fans to think how they would feel if it was someone in their family that was waiting and to have a chat about what they would want to happen to them should the worse happen. The whole club is very proud to support the organ donation campaign. It really can save lives.”

You can show your support and join the NHS Organ Donor Register now at:
www.organdonationscotland.org