How a critical lack of organ donation among BAME communities is being tackled in Leeds, with success

Leeds Cares and the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha both hosted events to raise awareness of the critical shortage of black, Asian, mixed race and minority ethnic organ donors.

The two schemes were among 25 organisations to share in a £140,000 community funding pot used to encourage more people from these backgrounds to become lifesaving donors.

Their projects helped to break down myths and increase support for organ donation after securing funding in October 2018 through NHS Blood and Transplant’s BAME Community Investment Scheme.

Now the impact of what was delivered has been published in a progress report.

The Leeds Cares scheme focused on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in the city and promoted organ donation in schools and community venues, and through local events such as Parkrun.

Meanwhile the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha project held activities in Leeds’ Hindu community, and highlighted organ donation through social media, emails and leaflets.

Clare Ecuyer, from Leeds Cares, said: “For our communities, discussing organ donation among one’s own family, friends, community and faith groups can be a real barrier to considering organ donation.

“To break down these barriers we engaged the community in activities that focused on discussing organ donation in an open and engaging way using sport and faith events, and the expertise of healthcare staff and faith leaders to encourage discussion and dispel myths.

“We engaged with a total of 800 people at two Park Run events, and 50 delegates at a faith and community organ donation awareness day. A presentation was also given at a Black Church event encouraging those present to sign on to the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “Organ transplants save millions of lives. But what happens to your body when you die is something that can be difficult to talk about. Building awareness is critical, and projects like this are doing excellent work with local communities and black and minority ethnic groups.

"This is especially vital as people from BAME backgrounds are more likely to need a transplant, but tragically less likely to receive one due to the shortage of BAME donors. To save more lives, we need these conversations to happen.”

The 25 projects involved organisations representing Jain, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Swahili, black and Asian Christians, black African and Caribbean and multi-faith groups.

Approximately 211 events were delivered between November 2018 and June 2019, reaching around 130,000 people, and the second round of projects funded through the BAME Community Investment scheme is now underway.

A further £190,000 was distributed among another 25 projects, all of which will help ensure people understand their choices now the law around organ donation has changed.

Since May, all adults in England are considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die, unless they record a decision not to donate, are in an excluded group or have nominated a representative to make the decision on their behalf.

To register as a donor or to find out more, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.