The family of a footballer who tragically lost his life on a night out has thrown their support behind a campaign to address a critical shortage in organ donation. Kelly Bossons, 32, made the difficult decision to donate the organs of her fiancé Jordan Sinnott, a professional footballer for Matlock Town, after he died in 2020 following an assault outside a pub.
A Life-Saving Decision
Jordan, aged 25, had signed the NHS Organ Donor Register before his death, which allowed his organs to be donated. The family later discovered that his donation saved seven lives and also helped others through tissue donation. Kelly recalled the emotional moment when a helicopter left the hospital carrying one of Jordan's organs to a recipient. "We saw the helicopter leaving, heading to one of Jordan's recipients, with the very organ they needed to get better. It really brought home how much our decision would mean to someone else," she said.
The Transplant Crisis
NHS data reveals that 1,365 people in England have died waiting for a transplant since the last World Cup. The active transplant waiting list has surged by 23% to a record 8,300. England lags behind other UK nations in organ donation registration, with only 40% of the population registered, compared to 57% in Northern Ireland, 54% in Scotland, and 44% in Wales.
The reasons for the crisis are not fully understood, but the Covid pandemic may have impacted public attitudes towards the NHS and end-of-life care. Despite a law change to "deemed consent" in England in 2020, families can still veto donations. When a loved one has confirmed their intention to donate, families agree around 90% of the time, but this drops to 50% when the decision is unknown.
A Message from the Family
Kelly urged people to register their donation decisions, saying, "Football was Jordan's life, and I know he would support this message. Taking two minutes to confirm your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register can save up to nine lives." She emphasized that donation is only possible in about 1% of deaths, making it a special opportunity to help others.
Anthony Clarkson, director of NHS Blood and Transplant, called on the public to support the campaign: "Your country needs you both on and off the pitch this summer. While cheering on the Three Lions, take two minutes to confirm your donation decision. This could save up to nine lives – almost a full starting 11."
To register, call 0300 123 23, visit organdonation.nhs.uk, or use the NHS app.
