Students at a secondary school in Willesden are putting paint to paper to raise awareness of living organ donation.
The pupils from Capital City Academy in Doyle Gardens, launched a poster competition in aid of charity GOLD which aims to offer hope to sufferers of kidney failure.
The year eight, nine and 10 students proudly displayed a vibrant array of posters and met judges at the launch of charity Gift of Living Donation (GOLD’s) competition along with GOLD founder Dela Idowu.
The teens are joining Ms Idowu’s call to encourage people-particularly those in the Black and Asian communities- to learn about the life-changing potential of kidney donation.
The students have until May 1 to complete their artworks, with the best posters going on display at the Brent Civic Centre Library in June.
Dela, 55, from Lewis Crescent in St Raphael’s Estate in Neasden, founded GOLD after her brother Tayo’s life was transformed by a transplant following five years of dialysis treatment for kidney failure.
She said: “This is great way to creatively get people’s attention and let them know about registration for live organ donation, particularly as there is a lack of donors from the black and Asian communities.
“We can all live normally with one kidney. When my brother Tayo had his donation his life changed completely, he can plan for the future and go on holiday with family instead of being on dialysis.”
When Tayo, 57, was diagnosed in 2005, charity campaigner Ms Idowu, a former winner at the Pride of Brent awards, wanted to donate her spare kidney to him but found she was not compatible. After he found a successful match, she set up GOLD in a bid to offer hope to those suffering from kidney failure and their families.
She said: “I know the benefits and joy living kidney donation can bring, however people from the black community are often reluctant to come forward as donors.”
Carol Wylie, a specialist nurse for organ donation with NHS Blood and Transplant, who will be judging the students’ entries, said: “ The youth are our future and projects like this will encourage their family and friend to consider the importance of donation.”
For more information on the poster competition and GOLD campaign visit giftoflivingdonation.co.uk or for details on the NHS organ donor register see: organdonation.nhs.uk.
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