A HEART attack survivor is putting Stratford on the map as the UK’s first ‘donor town’.
TV chef and health campaigner Sally Bee is encouraging people to sign the donor register and increase awareness of those in desperate need of organs.
The Stratford mum has survived five major heart attacks and was diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection also known as SCAD – after her third attack when aged 36.
And 12 years later, in 2016, she suffered a further two life-threatening heart attacks and now has just one of her main arteries around her heart left intact.
Now the healthy-eating guru – who is a regular on TV programme Lorraine – wants to help those whose only option is a transplant.
The ‘donor town project’ will encourage a network of businesses, schools and organisations to help spread the message about becoming a life-saving donor, and promote the campaign through posters, window stickers and banners.
The title of ‘donor town’ will be held for a year before transferring to another town.
Sally said: “This is a win-win project. There is no downside, there are no losers, everyone has the potential to become a hero and save up to nine lives. Why wouldn’t you?
“If we get 100 new people on the organ donor register it will be a success. If we have 1,000 new sign-ups in Stratford, I will be thrilled and delighted. However, this is about saving lives so my aim is to encourage and facilitate 10,000 new sign-ups over the 12 month period of this first donor town project.
“I want Stratford to be firmly on the map, not only because of William Shakespeare, but because we are a town with a heart that we are truly willing to share.”
Around three people die every day in the UK while waiting for an organ donation.
Anyone can register, regardless of their age or medical conditions. To ensure their organs are safe, the donor’s medical and lifestyle history is assessed at the time of donation.
Visit www.donortownproject.uk for more details on the project and www.organdonation.nhs.uk for information on registering as a donor.
