Bedford Borough Council has pledged to support work encouraging people to sign up to the organ donation register, to help tackle the particularly long waits for matches among ethnic minority groups.
Last year 400 people died waiting for a transplant across the UK, and the Organ Donation Committee at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has raised concerns about health inequalities faced by ethnic minority patients who wait an exceptionally long time for suitable matches.
On 11 October, councillors agreed to support its work, calling upon all members, officers and the Executive to help where possible.
Speaking before the meeting, Councillor Jim Weir, Deputy Mayor of Bedford Borough, described it as an issue that touched every resident’s life.
He said; “This is specifically about health inequalities faced by ethnic minority patients, but being aware of organ and blood donations benefits everybody. This could be a matter of life or death for any of us, and everyone who signs up to become a donor has the power to transform countless other people’s lives.
“The Organ Donation Committee is doing great work in raising awareness and education of organ donation so that important conversations can be had about these decisions – especially among ethnic minority groups.
“If this saves just one life, it will be so worthwhile.”
Tarsem Paul, Chair of the Organ Donation Committee at Bedfordshire Hospitals Trust, said; “A major push is required across all communities, but particularly to support and educate ethnic minority groups about the importance of organ donation in saving lives.
“You can help us do this - register your decision and you could transform a life by becoming an organ donor.”
Visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website to learn more.