Whirlpool Uk Supports National Organ Donation Week
National Organ Donation Week (7th-13th September) was supported by Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited with the gift of a top of the range Whirlpool Supreme Care washing machine for a raffle prize arranged by Kettering’s Organ and Tissue Donation Committee.
The laws around organ donation have changed in the UK and it is now an opt-out system. This means that if you’re not in an excluded group and have not confirmed whether you want to be a donor, it will be considered that you agree to organ donation. These changes came into effect in May 2020 and with the advent of National Organ Donation Week it presented the ideal time to raise awareness around donorship.
Kettering General Hospital took the opportunity to reinforce the change, while reassuring its staff that they still have a choice whether they would like to be an organ donor or not. To encourage and engage staff, the hospital’s Organ and Tissue Donation Committee set up a virtual walk challenge and provided cakes and refreshments for all visitors to its pop-up information point. The highlight of the activities was the donation from Whirlpool UK of a top of the range washing machine as a raffle prize.
The Group Chief Executive of Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals, Simon Weldon, drew the winning raffle ticket and explained: “This was a very much appreciated gesture from Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited and we are sincerely grateful for the company’s donation. It certainly brought the staff to the hospital’s Pocket Park to enjoy the event set up by the Organ Donation Committee.”
Shirley Newman, Chair, Organ and Tissue Donation Committee, Kettering: “It has been an extraordinary year with enormous challenges. We thank everyone for all their support in making this campaign a success in promoting organ donation so we can continue to save lives. The gift of the Whirlpool washing machine was the icing on the cake and helped our efforts to raise awareness throughout Organ Donation Week.”
Ian Moverley, Public Affairs Director, Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited says: “Organ donation is an important but personal decision. With the changes to the UK law now in effect it is important to us at Whirlpool UK to support those educating others on the changes and how they affect each and every one of us. We’re so pleased to hear that our donation of a washing machine has helped the Kettering Organ and Tissue Donation Committee spread the important message that bit further.”
For more information on the changes and organ donation please go to: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/