St Johnstone FC is backing a national campaign which urges Scots to discuss their organ donation wishes with loved ones.
Fans will be encouraged to have a ‘Wee Chat’ about organ donation at Saturday’s game (28 February) against Kilmarnock, where street teams will be on hand to offer information and urge supporters to share their wishes.
The club is getting behind the drive as statistics reveal that almost half of people in Scotland (45 per cent) haven’t discussed their organ donation wishes with their family, and one in ten (12 per cent) of those who are on the NHS Organ Donor Register haven’t spoken to loved ones about their decision.
Although many think that joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is enough, sharing organ donation wishes remains fundamental to relatives honouring a loved one’s choice in the event of their death.
Rachael Simms, General Manager at St Johnstone FC, said: “This is a fantastic campaign which we’re really happy to get behind. We hope by having the street team here at Saturday’s game, people who might not have talked about organ donation before will be encouraged to do so. Supporters often come to the matches with their family, so it’s the perfect opportunity to have a wee chat.”
Chris Millar, Midfielder at St Johnstone FC, said: “It’s really important that people share their organ donation wishes. It might not be a topic that comes up in everyday conversation, but it only takes a couple of minutes to let your family know your views.
“The seven words ‘I’d like to be an organ donor’ could save up to seven lives, so it’s definitely a conversation worth having.”
To find out more about organ donation and to join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonationscotland.org
