And the blind shall see

The organ transplant service has just written to us to tell us that Elaine's corneas have now been used. One was given to a 27 year old woman and the other to a 29 year old man. 

• Last year (2008-09) 2,711 people had their sight restored by corneas supplied through NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).
• Last year, 2,075 people donated their eyes after their death but there is still a major shortage of corneas in the UK. Many more people would benefit from a sight-saving transplant if more eyes were donated.
• There is a shortage each year of approximately 500 corneas. The number of requests to NHSBT that cannot be met has increased owing to increased demand.

Have you registered your name on the NHS Organ Donor Register yet. Do it now by going to  http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/