The law around organ and tissue donation in Scotland is an opt out system to help save and improve lives. You can find out what it means and why you should still register your decision and talk to your friends and family about your wishes. You can find out more about the changes on the Organ Donation Scotland website.
You can also call the national organ donor helpline on 0300 303 2094. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
Around 600 people across Scotland are currently waiting for an organ transplant, including many patients in the Forth Valley area. By signing up to the organ donor register you could help save the lives of several seriously ill patients.
Local Patient Stories
If you need any further inspiration or encouragement why not read some of the stories of some local people in Forth Valley who are currently waiting for an organ donation as well as those whose lives have been transformed following a successful transplant.
Irene and Graeme McCusker – Organ & Tissue Donor
Irene took the decision to donate her son Graeme’s organs and tissues after he died in 2020, aged 40.
The Dewar Family – Larbert Transplant Recipient
Twins Daniel and Nathan Dewar both received kidney transplants – Nathan from his father Blair and Daniel from an unrelated organ donor.
Read the Dewar Family’s Story →
Helen Tyler – Stirling Transplant Recipient
A consultant with NHS Forth Valley whose family have both donated and received organs for transplant, is appealing to local people across Forth Valley to join the organ donor register.
Robert Ford – Stirling Transplant Recipient
A Fallin man whose life has been transformed by organ donation has shared his story to mark Organ Donation Week.
Dr David Fowler – Bonnybridge Transplant Recipient
Transplant recipient Dr David Fowler from Bonnybridge shares his story in a bid to raise awareness of how organ and tissue donation saves and transforms lives.
Callum Reid – Grangemouth Transplant Recipient
Callum Reid, who now lives in Grangemouth, shared his story to support the ‘We Need Everybody’ call for people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.
George Hall – Organ Donor
George Hall suffered a catastrophic brain haemorrhage and cardiac arrest. Knowing his wishes, his wife Jane chose to donate his organs, saving several lives.
Salma Hussain – Transplant Recipient
Salma received a pancreas and a kidney and was given the choice of two separate operations but opted for one, as she didn’t want to go through surgery twice. Ten days later she was on her way home.
For more information and resources, please go to the Organ Donation Scotland website.