Westfield Health announces three-year deal to support British Transplant Games

12th September 2016

Sheffield-based health insurance provider Westfield Health has announced it will continue its long standing support of the British Transplant Games by unveiling a further three year title sponsorship deal.

The not-for-profit organisation has now been involved with the Transplant Games for a number of years and will remain headline sponsor of the event until 2019. Hosted annually by the charity Transplant Sport (TS), the Games attract hundreds of athletes from across the UK all of whom have undergone a lifesaving transplant to compete in a variety of sporting events, from swimming and lawn bowls to running and volleyball. The 2016 Westfield Health British Transplant Games which took place in Liverpool in July were the most successful Games ever with thousands of people being inspired to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. The 2017 Games will be held in North Lanarkshire from the 27th to the 30th July, the 2018 Games will take place in Birmingham and the location for the 2019 Games is yet to be confirmed. The aim of the event is to showcase the benefits of organ donation, celebrate the 'Gift of Life' and encourage people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. In addition, Westfield Health are also supporting the #DonationConversation campaign, which aims to encourage the nation to talk about organ donation under the banner of -Have the Donation Conversation. The UK has one of the lowest rates in Europe for families supporting organ donation and in 2014/15 only 57% agreed to donate their family members' organs after they died. On average 43% of relatives refuse permission for organ donation to take place. The campaign is aiming to increase the family consent rate from 57% to 80% by 2020, by asking everyone to -have the Donation Conversation. Graham Moore, Westfield Health Chairman said: -We are delighted to continue our support of the British Transplant Games for a further three years. -We have been longstanding supporters of organ donation and the NHS Organ Donor Register and it is great to be reinforcing our support during organ donation week. -For a number of years we have been incredibly proud of our involvement with this prestigious and emotive event and have used our title sponsorship to encourage more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. -We very much enjoyed attending the Games in Liverpool this year and witnessing first-hand the life-saving benefits of organ donation and transplantation. -As an organisation Westfield Health is committed to making a difference to communities throughout the UK and we are thrilled to help make the Games happen for the next three years. Andy Eddy, TS Chairman, said -We cannot thank Westfield Health enough for their continued and overwhelming support for the British Transplant Games. -This vital support means that TS, together with Westfield Health, can really make a difference across the UK in promoting not only the benefits of transplantation through this sporting event, but also in raising awareness of the desperate need for more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk