Filmmakers: Help launch National Transplant Week 2013 and win £ 1000 of equipment

NHS Blood and Transplant has launched a short-film competition urging people to talk to loved ones about their organ donation wishes. The competition is open to all film makers from 25^th March to 17^th May. The winning films will be announced at the start of this year’s National Transplant Week in July. The makers will also receive £1,000 worth of camera equipment.

The competition, ‘Organ donation through A Lens’ will focus on the importance of having ‘The Donation Conversation’ and will culminate in the launch of National Transplant Week which runs 8th to 14th July. The winning film will encourage more people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register and more crucially highlight the importance of talking to family and friends about your wishes. Creative entries are encouraged.

Over 90% of families will agree to donation if a loved one is registered and has discussed their wishes. This drops to around 40% if donation wishes aren't known.

Judges include Jemma North, producer and director of ITV current affairs series Tonight, and Cat Lewis, Executive Producer on the Bafta winning programme Me, My Dad & His Kidney.

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Last year’s winner, Paul Dallison from Liverpool, said: “I couldn’t believe it when my name was read out as the winner. I didn’t know much about organ donation before making my film but through my research and the inspiring people I interviewed, I’ve now become a real champion. This competition really gets people thinking about the importance of signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register and passing on the message to their family and friends.”

Sally Johnson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, added: “After the success of last year’s competition, we are really looking forward to seeing more powerful, moving films. This year, the focus is on telling loved ones about your donation wishes.

"We want these films to help everyone, individuals and families, to be proud to say yes to organ donation, when asked. We want everyone to be proud of our donation record in the UK. The first step is having a conversation with your loved ones about your wishes."

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register please call 0300 123 2323, text DONATE to 62323 or visit www.transplantweek.co.uk.

For further information about National Transplant Week and the ‘Organ donation through A Lens’ competition, go to http://www.transplantweek.co.uk. Watch www.facebook.com/organdonationuk and follow @NHSOrganDonor on twitter for more information about the ‘Organ donation through A Lens’ competition and this year’s National Transplant Week.

Filmmakers: Help launch National Transplant Week 2013 and win £ 1000 of equipment

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