Facebook Organ Donation Option

Facebook Organ Donation Option, The father of a six-year-old boy who was on the brink of death before receiving a liver and kidney transplant has called for Facebook users to register their interest in organ donation online.

Philip Barton said if users write about their feelings on the subject on the website it could save the lives of children like his son, Kian.

Mr Barton made his comments as the social media giant announced that users can indicate their thoughts on organ donation using their timelines.

After people have expressed their interest, they are encouraged to sign up to the organ donor register on NHS Blood and Transplant’s (NHSBT) page on the site.

Mr Barton, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, said Kian suffered from liver disease and kidney failure from a young age, adding: “The only option for him was transplant. There was no other choice. It was that or certain death.”

His son received a partial liver and kidney transplant from an adult donor in January 2009.

Mr Barton added: “He is doing really well now – he had such a bad start to life, he was so ill – but now he is in school and it is fantastic to see. People don’t realise that there are children waiting for transplants. (UKPA)