'Discuss organ donation' - Rogerstone transplant mum (From South Wales Argus)

'Discuss organ donation' - Rogerstone transplant mum

11:50am Tuesday 4th December 2012 in News By Ruth Mansfield

A MUM whose life was saved thanks to a double lung transplant is backing a Welsh Government campaign to encourage more families to talk about organ donation.

Jan Rogers, 43, of Rogerstone, Newport, is supporting the Heart to Heart campaign, which starts today and calls on people to make a pledge to have open family discussions on their wishes in relation to organ donation and to consider signing the NHS organ donor register in the new year.

The campaign coincides with the Welsh Government introducing the Human Transplantation (Wales) Bill to the National Assembly for Wales, which was done yesterday.

The Assembly will now begin the formal process of considering the bill, which introduces legislation for a soft opt-out system of organ and tissue donation in Wales.

Under the proposed new law, which could be in place by 2015, adults who live in Wales would be deemed to have given their consent to organ donation unless they register a wish not to be a donor [opt-out].

Two international evidence reviews: “Opt-out systems of organ donation”

and “The role of relatives in organ donation” were also published.

Part of the review found that family refusal continues to be the main factor affecting donation rates due to many not knowing of the deceased relative’s wishes.

The campaign is aiming to change this and Mrs Rogers is one of those promoting the cause.

The Argus previously reported that cystic fibrosis sufferer Mrs Rogers underwent a lung transplant in November 2010 after being given just six months to live in May 2010.

Her 16-year-old son, Will, also suffers from cystic fibrosis and may need to undergo a lung transplant in the future.

Mrs Rogers said: “Before I was in a wheelchair and needed help with things but now I can do things. I’ve got a life now.

“I think it’s extremely important for families to talk about organ donation and their wishes.”

Will added: “It’s amazing to see my mum now. It’s been a complete change.

“I would encourage all families to talk about organ donation. Talking is the first step of everything.”