Clifton Park turned pink for organ donation

The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust also had an information stand to promote the importance of registering your choice on the organ donor register and having discussions with loved ones about your wishes.

Taking part in the ParkRun was Rebecca Brockbank who understands the urgency of organ donation first-hand. Born with a heart condition, her quality of life declined until a double lung and heart transplant gave her a second chance. Now, she’s living life to the fullest, doing things she never thought possible. 

Rebecca’s transplants allowed her to walk a lap of the ParkRun course with her closest friends, something that would have been unimaginable before.

Rebecca said: “My transplant not only saved my life but changed it completely. It’s about the experiences I can now have, not just being alive.”

The ParkRun marked the end of Organ and Tissue Donation Week, which saw a number of other events taking place across the Trust. On Wednesday, a moving service was held at the hospital in memory of those who had donated their organs, with a number of family members in attendance.

One donor can save up to nine lives and improve countless others. However, the need for organs far outweighs the supply. In May 2020, the law around organ donation in England changed to allow more people to save more lives. 

Now that the law has changed it will be considered that you agree to become an organ donor when you die, if:

• You are over 18
• You have not opted out
• You are not in an excluded group

However, you still have a choice whether or not you want to become an organ donor. You can register or change your decision at any time on the NHS organ donation website.

You should also discuss your wishes with your loved ones. Your family will be consulted if organ donation is a possibility, even in an opt out system.