Sunday 21-02-2010
Words: Raj Kumar
A host of celebrities from the British Asian, African and Caribbean communities joined forces yesterday to launch a campaign designed to raise awareness and encourage members of South Asian and Black communities to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Pop superstar Jay Sean, TV presenters Sonia Deol and Ama K. Abebrese and singer Jaya came together at London’s Hammersmith Hospital (part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust) to ‘Prove’ they care about the lack of organ donors from BME backgrounds.
As well as increasing awareness about organ donation, the campaign aims to challenge the misconceptions surrounding the issue through the innovative use of drama in a series of Street Plays that will visit key locations around the country in the coming weeks. The campaign will support the decision-making process by providing the community with unique insight into the experiences of patients currently on the transplant waiting list as well as the opportunity to see the positive impact of donation from a donor family’s perspective.
Kulvinder Ghir, who will be taking the lead role in the Asian version of the Street Play said: “Organ donation is a difficult and often taboo subject within our communities, with a host of misconceptions. Being a part of this campaign and taking messages to the heart of the community is going to be challenging, but if I can change people’s attitudes and get the community to realise the importance of joining the NHS Organ Donor Register then I will have made use of my celebrity status.”
If you believe in organ donation, prove it...Register now at organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23
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