A memorial is being prepared to remember those people involved in organ donation and families are being urged to register their interest.

The Bermuda Organ and Tissue Donor Association is having a quilt made to go on display in the reception of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital during Thanksgiving week, and it is hoped that messages, photographs and other inscriptions can be added to the quilt to remember the lost.

But in order for their details to be added, families who have lost loved ones and donated their organs to people in need should get in touch with a member of the association as soon as possible.

Emergency and Intensive Care Unit staff nurse Brad Klienig said the quilt would be displayed throughout the last week of November at the hospital to tie in with Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27, when the New England Organ Bank holds its annual remembrance period.

"We want people who have been involved in organ donation to contact us so they can have an opportunity to put a picture of their loved one on the quilt or some sort of message," said Mr. Klienig.

"The quilt is being prepared now and will be displayed in the foyer of the hospital as a token of remembrance to those people who have died and donated organs to others.

"The quilt is a nice idea, but obviously we really need people to come forward so we can ensure that as many people are included on it as possible."

However, Mr. Klienig said although the quilt would be displayed at the hospital during that week, no decision had yet been taken on where it would be positioned for the remainder of the year.

Also, from Monday, November 17, Pam Albert and Gennie Tweed from the New England Organ Bank will be on the Island to hold educational sessions about organ donation.

Any group who would like one of them to attend their meetings, luncheons, work places or organisations during that week can arrange it through staff at the hospital.

Members of the clergy and church groups are being particularly encouraged to take advantage of their visit during that week, but members of the Bermuda Organ and Tissue Donor Association can also provide talks at another time if that would be more convenient.

For information about the quilt or to arrange for a speaker on organ donation, call the hospital on 236-2345 and ask for Glenda Daniels, Debbie Hume, Sharika Thomas or Muriel Williams.