Save a life at the National Eisteddfod

Friday, August 01, 2008

Visitors to this year’s National Eisteddfod in Cardiff will be able to send a message of hope and support to those needing a transplant in Wales – not just by joining the Organ Donor Register, but by signing the Donate Wales Wall too.

The Wall, which is made out of wood and measures more than 12ft wide, will be one of the centre piece attractions at the Donate Wales stand where there will be lots of other exciting activities for visitors to enjoy including face painting and interactive toys about organs.

The Donate Wales team will be armed with brushes and pink and purple paint – the colours of the campaign – so people can write and draw messages of support on the Wall to those waiting for a new organ.  Images of the completed mural will be displayed on the Donate Wales website and Facebook group.

Leni Hatcher, Donate Wales Campaigns and Communications Officer, said: “We’re really looking forward to attending the Eisteddfod as it’s one of Wales’ most historic and biggest events.

“We know from the comments left on our website message board and Facebook group that people are really keen to send their own messages of hope and support to those waiting for a transplant.

“We thought it would be really nice to have something at the Eisteddfod giving people the chance to do the same there.

“There are lots of other interesting things at the stand too – especially for children – including face painting, giant board games, volley ball and educational toys so people can learn more about how the organs work.

“We’ve also got an interactive treasure hunt, where people will get the chance to win a DS Lite at the same time as finding out more about transplants and how the gift of donors helps save and transforms hundreds of lives every year.”

Currently more than 490 people in Wales are listed for a transplant – the majority needing a new kidney. One of the biggest obstacles to more lives being saved is that four our of ten families refuse for their loved ones organs to be donated when asked, often simply because they didn’t know what they would have wanted.

The Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One campaign aims to challenge this figure by encouraging more people to discuss their wishes and join the Organ Donor Register. Since its launch on May 13 more than 11,500 people have signed-up.

To join the Organ Donor Register either text GIVE to 64118, visit www.donatewales.org or contact 0845 60 60 400.