By Perry Johnson
The issue of organ donor shortages among ethnic minority groups across the UK is set to be tackled in Leicester later this month as medical professionals and treated patients come together to deliver a free and informative seminar.
The talk, which will take place from 10.30am until 3pm on 17 March, will be held at the Jain Centre on Oxford Street – Britain’s first consecrated temple for followers of the Jainism religion.
The Jain Centre in Leicester – Britain’s first consecrated temple for worshippers of Jainism
The event will feature presentations by surgeons and live donors on issues surrounding kidney disease, its prevention and how it is treated; before being followed up with a question and answer session.
Rhyiana Patel, a graphic design student from Leicester, said: “Events like this that aim to educate people on their health and any issues that they could have at some point are very important.”
“Temple is integral to a lot of people’s lives in communities like mine – so to have the talk in one means it can reach out more directly to the people who could be affected most.
“People from Black and Asian communities are more likely to develop issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure which can lead to kidney damage.”
Last year, research issued by NHS Blood and Transplant showed that 1 in 5 people who died on the Transplant Waiting List were from a Black, Asian or ethnic minority background.
This is due to a shortage of organ donations from these groups with figures showing there to have only been 114 donors from an ethnic minority background in the UK last year.
The seminar on the issue is being co-ordinated by Jain Samaj EUROPE and the Leicester division of Oshwal Association UK in co-operation with Vanik Coucil UK – who have organised matching events at other Hindu and Jain temples across the country.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kidney-disease-prevention-living-organ-donation-leicester-tickets-55184238543#tickets
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