Bradford College hosts Organ Donation awareness event

In 2021 Bradford College received a share of £600,000 funding as part of the Government’s commitment to tackle health inequalities in Black and Asian communities.

Since receiving this share Bradford College has aimed to raise awareness for organ donation through the ‘Let’s Talk About It’ campaign which has been pioneered by our very own staff member Karen Piotr. This week Bradford College hosted an organ donation event supported by NHS Blood & Transplant.

The Event

The event’s aim was to raise awareness about organ donation to Bradford College students and staff and it did just that.

From donor patients to surgeons and religious beliefs surrounding organ donation, the event provided a wide variety of poignant and informative points alongside personal stories which left the room silent.

Six Amazing Guest Speakers

The six guest speakers provided a range of information and awareness surrounding organ donation. The event covered stories from transplant recipients Mohammed Islam and Maryam Naeem whose stories moved our students and staff when they spoke about their experiences.

Maryam highlighted that “it’s about raising awareness and educating people… why not save 6 lives, 5 lives even 8 lives whatever you can do, create that legacy”.

The event considered all points of views including information from a clinical lead for organ donation as well as a transplant surgeon. This included Dr Sunil Daga who highlighted that “Organ donation is the highest donation one can do”.

Pictured left to right: Abdul Hakeem, James Morgan, Karen Piotr, Mohammed Islam, Maryam Naeem and Naweed Hussain.

Karen Piotr

Bradford College has some wonderful staff members including Karen Piotr who has been the pioneer for organ donation projects at the College.

Organ donation holds a special place in Karen’s heart as she has first-hand experience in being a donor family. She said “I’ve talked about my journey as a donor family from when my husband passed away 5 years ago and how we had honoured his wishes to be an organ donor”.

Organ Donation

It is quick and easy to join the NHS Organ Donor register.

Families will always be involved before organ donation goes ahead. Talking to your loved ones can give them the certainty they need to support your decision at a difficult time. #LeaveThemCertain

Every day across the UK around three people who could have benefited from a transplant die because there aren’t enough organ donors.

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation.

Most people think it’s important to talk about organ donation but less than half have. Families will always be involved before organ donation goes ahead so it’s important to have the conversation. #LeaveThemCertain

One donor could save or transform up to nine lives. Register and share your organ donation decision and one day you could make an extraordinary difference. #LeaveThemCertain