Churches: getting rid of your organs in a good cause

No, not that sort of organ.

A new campaign has been launched today to encourage Christians to donate blood and organs as part of their giving and worship:

"Donating blood, joining the Organ Donor Register, or consenting to organ donation from a deceased loved one is a unique gift and one that can truly save lives.”

The NHS needs 7,000 units of blood each day to meet the demand of hospitals. The need for organs also outstrips availability with more than a thousand people dying each year in the UK waiting for an organ transplant.

With millions of members across the UK, it is hoped churches can step in to fill the gap.

The campaign is the first time the NHS has worked alongside the churches on a national initiative of this kind.

Churches and individuals will have the opportunity to become blood and organ donation advocates, playing an active role in informing congregations, family, friends and their communities about how they can help save more lives.

More here, official CofE piece here, including this comment by the 'lead bishop on healthcare'

"I would encourage individual Christians and local churches to engage with the campaign as we help address an important social issue and generously serve the communities to which we belong. Being willing to give our time, money and gifts is a significant aspect of our stewardship of what we have received. But this applies just as much to the blood that flows in our veins; and the organs that are such an intrinsic part of our bodies."

The campaign website is called fleshandblood, with some fairly stark stats on the need for more blood and organ donation in the UK,  

and here are the upcoming blood donation sessions in the Yeovil area, via the very handy online session searcher.

Great campaign: to my shame I've not donated blood recently, so I've just booked in.