This week, there’s a big race going on. All over the UK.
People in 12 regions across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England are signing up on line, as individuals or joining teams, to log up some miles (or kilometres – they’re shorter) over Organ Donation Week. A bit more than the week, actually, to include two weekends. It started on Saturday 21st September and all kilometres completed must be logged online by midnight on Sunday 29th September.
The Race for Recipients. The big idea for the week is to lift the profile of organ donation a little (or a lot) by doing some physical activity. Then we win twice, because we know physical activity is a Good Thing To Do.
We are invited to run if we choose, or walk, swim, cycle, row, climb or…whatever form of physically activity we prefer, beyond our normal day to day activity. Steps between the classrooms, round the office, in and about the house don’t count. The idea is to encourage us to, well, go an extra mile. Or two.
You don’t have to be fit, you don’t have to achieve colossal distances or set new speed records. If you do join in, even just for a brief activity, you are invited to take photos and share your involvement on any or all social media platforms you use, and encourage others to give a little time to think of people for whom organ donation is not only a cause, but a lifeline.
There are some target distances to aim for, as individuals or teams. 9kms representing the number of lives that can be saved by one organ donor. 7,500 kms to represent the number of people currently waiting for a life-saving transplant. 250kms for the number of children on the transplant waiting list. 61,400 kms to represent the number of people living today with an organ transplant. Whatever distance you may travel, one prize target is to encourage 9 people to talk with their families and friends about their own choices around donation, and even to spend a few more minutes and sign the Register.
You can still sign up for this week’s race, as an individual, join a team, or even start your own. Some teams are made up of people who know each other. Some include people who sign up and choose a team they don’t know but wish to support. The world of organ donation is familiar with the kindness of strangers…
Ready? Steady? Go have a look and see what you think…Race for Recipients
