Great Yarmouth shines bright for Organ Donation Week
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston are set to shine even brighter during this year's Organ Donation Week with six of the borough's most iconic buildings illuminated to raise awareness and encourage discussions about the importance of organ donation.
For Organ Donation Week this year - celebrated nationally from September 18 until 24 - the aim is to encourage at least 25,000 people to save future lives by taking two minutes to confirm their organ donation decision online.
The six buildings that will be bathed in a vibrant display of pink lights include Town Hall, Tollhouse, St George's Theatre, the Minster Church of St Nicholas, the Arc Cinema and Gorleston Pavilion.
The illuminations will run for seven evenings from Monday, September 18, from dusk until late, providing a picturesque backdrop for people to enjoy.
Alongside these local landmarks, the James Paget Hospital will also be lit up pink to support Organ Donation Week. The hospital will be hosting an NHS Organ Donation coffee morning at the Burrage Centre on Wednesday, September 20, open to staff, patients and the public to find out more about the difference organ donation can make.
Residents can also show support by joining the Gorleston Cliffs Park Run on Saturday, September 16 to help raise awareness about Organ Donation. Wear pink and help turn Gorleston seafront pink during the Park Run.
The Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Councillor Penny Carpenter, said: "Great Yarmouth has always been a close-knit community, and this initiative is a testament to the borough's compassion and commitment to saving lives through organ donation.
"We encourage everyone to visit these iconic buildings during Organ Donation Week, engage in discussions about this vital cause and, of course, snap a selfie with one of the landmarks in their lit up glory ."
Natalie Ashley, Specialist Nurse-Organ Donation at Eastern Organ Donation Services Team, said: "Organ donation changes lives, and more than ever we need people to confirm this decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
"More than 7,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant in the UK, while on average around 1,400 people donate each year. Not many people die in circumstances that make it possible for them to donate their organs, which is why every potential donor so is precious.
"Organ donors are special, however there still aren't enough people donating. One donor can save up to nine lives, and even more by also donating tissue."
People are encouraged to participate in the campaign by sharing photos of the illuminated buildings on social media using the hashtag #LightForLife.
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