Bermuda?s Organ and Tissue Donor Week begins on Monday with residents being offered free check-ups.

The Organ and Tissue Donor Week runs from April 19 until April 23 and feature two international speakers, a local opthalmologist and public health screenings. The speakers include Frank Bodino, a heart transplant recipient, Jack and Arlene Loceiro, who donated their daughter?s organs after a tragedy, and opthalmologist Dr. Leonard Teye-Botchway.

Tracey Paiva of the Bermuda Organ and Tissue Donor Association said the charity strongly believes in getting information on organ tissue donation.

?We have worked very closely with the Transport Control Department (TCD) over the last year to educate the public on becoming organ donors by ticking ?yes? on their driver?s licence,? said Ms Paiva.

?Our role is to provide the community with enough knowledge and education on organ and tissue donation so they will be able to talk to their family on their wishes regarding organ donation.?

Health screenings will be carried out at the Bank of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, the MarketPlace in Hamilton at 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and at TCD 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Participants will be screened for cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

On Thursday there will be a learning lunch for health care workers in the conference room at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. On Monday morning the organisation will be unveiling a Donor Family Quilt in the front lobby of the hospital.