A specialist nurse in organ donation at Wythenshawe hospital in Manchester has been named as a finalist in a short film competition.
The competition asked for films urging people to pass on their organ donation wishes to their loved ones while encouraging people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Fiona Pollard’s film, ‘UHSM Organ Donation, Pass it On’, features a heart transplant patient who says he ‘felt alive again’ after his operation, as well as other clinicians who highlight the importance of signing up to the Organ Donor Register.
Jemma said: “I’ve really enjoyed being involved in the judging process for this year’s competition and would like to congratulate Fiona for making it onto the shortlist.
“I’m sure she is waiting nervously to hear whether she has won, but all will be revealed soon! In the meantime, people can help her chances of winning the People’s Favourite award by viewing her film online and encouraging others to do the same.”
She made the film alongside Into Productions for the annual Organ Donation through a Lens competition run by NHS Blood and Transplant.
The judging panel for the competition included Jemma North, producer and director of ITV current affairs series Tonight. The judges have chosen a winner, who will be announced on National Transplant week, starting on the July 1.
The winner will receive £1,000 worth of camera equipment to help them on their way to a star studded film career.
The title of People’s Favourite is still up for grabs. All the shortlisted films are available to watch on YouTube, www.YouTube.com/TransplantWeek, and the one with the most views by June 21 will take away this award.
Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, hopes the films will inspire more people to become organ donors.
“I’m delighted that we’ve received another set of great films this year, this time really focussing on the donation conversation,” she said.
“They show how important it is, but also how easy it is, to tell your loved ones that you want to be an organ donor. We hope they will inspire more people to donate and talk to their family and friends about their decision.
“We want everyone to take pride in supporting organ donation; a crucial step is having that conversation with your loved ones.”
For further information about National Transplant Week and the ‘Organ Donation Through A Lens’ competition, go to http://www.transplantweek.co.uk/
Image courtesy of Transplant Week, with thanks.
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