A South Hams mum who is desperately racing against time to save her daughter’s life says the NHS ‘opt out’ organ donation system is seriously flawed.

Cathy Meredith is worried time is running out for her 28-year-old daughter, Sarah, who is seriously ill with the fatal genetic disease, Cystic Fibrosis, and is in dire need of a liver transplant.Many people believe if they do not opt out then their names are automatically on the organ donor register – but this is not the case, says Cathy. And if they do not sign up to the register, nearly 70 per cent of families refuse to allow their loved ones organs to be donated she explained.As a result of the ‘flawed’ system, the situation is having dire consequences on the number of people signing up to the NHS organ donor register, said the worried mum.Sarah’s chances of receiving a liver transplant are slim due to the lack of organs available and the increased number of patients on the list to receive one due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cathy, of Maudlin Road in Totnes, is urging as many people as possible to sign the organ donor register and to tell their families they have done so.

She said: “Many people now believe that if they do wish to donate their organs they need do nothing.“In fact it is vitally important to sign the register and tell your family, as 69 per cent of families who are unaware of their loved one’s decision will decline consent.“If a person has signed the register, clinicians can approach the family knowing that person wanted to be a donor, making this final decision much easier for everyone.”Following a meeting with Cathy, Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall has agreed to raise the issue up in Parliament. He said: “Organ donation is hugely important and I am proud not only to carry my organ donation card with me but also to have actively joined the organ donor register. “For me it is essential that my family members know of my wishes and that I might be able to help others in their moment of need when my time has passed.

“I will continue to push for more to join the register as well as to raise this matter in parliament.”Cathy welcomed the MP’s support.

She said: “Sarah is on the active transplant list but you have a very narrow window because they don’t put you on until you are really ill, as there is no point because there are not enough donor organs, and they take you off if you get too ill.“I have to try and keep her well enough but what you can do for livers is very limited. “There is no support you can give the liver; if you go into liver failure you will live one to two days and that’s it.

“We are fighting against time to get people to sign onto the organ donor register, and to tell their families.”

Cathy continued: “Over 85 per cent of the British public believe in organ donation.

“NHS Blood and Transplant 2019/20 figures show that in Devon 58 patients had the organ transplant they needed, with 24 people donating their organs after they died.

“However, more than 100 people in Devon still need of a transplant and many die before receiving an organ.

“We all need to sign up so that the system can pay out organs when needed.”

She pleaded: “Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register, and it is vital that you tell your family or your decision is likely to be overturned.”

Cathy also called for volunteers to help her highlight the issue.“Please help me spread the word by displaying a poster, handing out leaflets or wearing a t-shirt. Also, if you have a story to share I would also love to hear from you.”

::To contact Cathy send her an email to [email protected]

::To sign up to the organ donor register visit: organdonation.nhs.uk