THOUSANDS of people in the UK are waiting for an organ transplant right now. That means they need a new organ to replace their faulty one. In this week’s I Don’t Get It we’re talking about organ donation.  

People can choose to donate their organs to help these people. Most donated organs have come from people who have died.

Doctors carefully and respectfully remove organs from those that no longer need them and give them to those who do – often saving a life in the process.

You can donate your kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, small bowel, corneas and tissue (like skin, bone or tendons).

Some people can be living organ donors, too. The most common organ that people donate while alive is a kidney. Most of us have two kidneys, but can survive with just one.

Anyone donating an organ must give consent to do so. That’s why it’s important they are signed up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

This register tells doctors which organs you would like to donate, and which ones you wouldn’t.

Families can also give consent to organ donation if the person has died, while some people carry an organ donor card on them.

Did you know that in Wales, everyone is an organ donor, unless they opt out? This system was introduced in December 2015, to increase organ donation.

In England, it’s different. No one is an organ donor until they sign up to be one. That means they must opt in instead.

Would you be prepared to be an organ donor? Vote in our online poll.

Organ donation divides opinion. If you’re worried about anything to do with this topic, speak to a trusted adult. You can also ring Childline on 0800 11 11. 

When will the next I Don’t Get It video be available?

Our next I Don’t Get It video will be available on First News Live! at 8am next Friday (22 September 2017). In next week’s edition, the team will be covering FAKE NEWS. 

Watch old I Don’t Get It videos on First News Live!

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