Inverness's Ness Bridge to light up in pink to honour Organ Donation awareness Week
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Highlands turn the Ness Bridge pink this week to to help raise awareness for Organ Donation Week as they encourage people to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Organ Donation Week 2023 commenced on September 18, and plans to commemorate the occasion by lighting the skies pink across the UK. From councils and businesses to hospitals and community groups; thousands of people are lighting their buildings pink to help raise awareness for organ donation.
To honour this occasion, Inverness's iconic Ness Bridge will be illuminated with a pink glow from the 21-23 of September. The bridge will be lit pink to help raise awareness across Highland communities to emphasize the importance of people adding their name to the Organ Donor Register.
Every day someone in the UK dies waiting for a transplant, due to the shortage of people donating. At present it is estimated that 7,000 people are waiting for a transplant, however as only 1,400 people die in circumstances where organ donation is possible, meaning that every donation is precious and is able to make a phenomenal difference. As organ donation will only go ahead in the support of family, the charity have emphasised the importance of individuals to add their name to the register as families are more likely to support the decision if someone has registered.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation, and Transport for NHS Blood and Transplant said: "It's brilliant of the Highlands to show this support for Organ Donation Week."
"The modern organ donor card is pink, and it certainly gets conversations going."
He continued: "We need people in the Highlands to add their name and decision to the NHS Organ Donor Register. This could be the difference between life and death for someone else."
The campaign is encouraging local communities to share pictures of their local landmarks illuminated pink this week to help raise awareness for the cause.
