Kendal Organ Donor Town was founded by Cllr Chris Hogg when he became Mayor of Kendal in May 2015 announcing that his aim was to sign up 1000 new registrations on the organ donor register. Cllr Rachael Hogg received her first kidney transplant in July 1990. In February 2016 Chris donated his kidney to Rachael.
Kendal Organ Donor Town is a community group made up of several committee members plus volunteers. Over the mayoral year the team worked hard to get people signed up on the organ donor register and raise the profile of organ donation. We attended numerous events over the year including Torchlight Carnival and the Westmorland County show, to raise the profile of the importance of organ donation. On average 3 people die a day waiting for an organ transplant.
By May 2016 Kendal Organ Donor town managed to exceed their target. Kendal also became the first Organ Donor Town in the UK!
In the past two years we have organised popular events in conjunction with Transplant Sport with activities at Kendal Ski Slope, the Climbing Wall and Leisure Centre for organ recipient children and the families of recipients with attendees from across the UK.
Kendal Organ Donor Town still continue today to support organ donation and encourage ongoing conversations about organ donation.
Our volunteers will be on hand to offer information and encouragement to any one interested and keep the profile of organ donation high.
