Westfield Support Organ Donation

Health insurance companies are always trying to raise their profile, not just to attract new business but to increase awareness of health issues and help members of the public. Westfield Health, a private medical insurance company, are no different. This year they will be hosting the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in an attempt to increase the number of organ donor cards held by people in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The event will be taking place between 30th July and 2nd August in and around Coventry and the participants are made up of 1,000 organ transplant recipients aged between 2 and 82. Currently 25% of Warwickshire citizens are organ transplant donor card carriers and Westfield health are expecting another 19,000 to sign up. 4,000 have already joined up since the campaigns launch in November 2008.

Westfield Health Chairman Graham Moore said: "The Games provide a real showcase of the benefits of organ donation and are an inspiration to us all.

"They are a great way to raise awareness of the need for organ donation and prove that transplantees can lead normal and active lives after their transplant.

"I carry a donor card myself and would encourage everyone to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register. To actively save a life is a tremendous thing to do and I'm sure the region will respond."

One in three people who are on a donor waiting list are likely to die before they receive a transplant do to lack of available organs. There are approximately 9,000 people in the UK who are waiting for donor organs.

Currently there are calls for the UK to follow Spain's lead, where organ donation is assumed and you must carry an opt-out card if you do not wish to participate. Donation rates in Spain have increased dramatically since the implementation of their opt-out policy.

Westfield offer the personal The Good4you Health Cash Plan which gives you cash when you need optical and dental costs, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy and chiropody. They also offer money back towards Day surgery, Recuperation, Consultations and Hospital Stays and give you a cash lump sum when you have a baby. They also offer company private health insurance.

Westfield are a not-for-profit organisation which has one many awards including the Best Healthcare Cash Plan Provider in the Health Insurance magazine awards for four years running. Every year they make substantial donations to the NHS and medically related charities.