“There’s a fear that if we start talking about death and our wishes that we’re being too morbid and we’ll make something bad happen. We need to break down these barriers – starting in our own families.”

Jenna Davies, Director of Governance, is Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Executive lead for organ donation.

“This Organ Donation Week the theme of “Words Saves Lives” is something we can all consider,” she said.

“Organ donation has been very important in my family as my nanna had a kidney transplant so we are extremely grateful that another family made that decision to help someone else. I think we can all try and have a conversation within our families about this issue of organ donation so we can be clear on the wishes of our loved ones.

“I know it is a difficult thing to talk about. I think a lot of people shy away from it because they feel like they’re going to make something bad happen somehow. But starting in our own families means that these conversations won’t have to be had with strangers in the future.

“As a mum I know that if my son needed a transplant I would hope that someone somewhere would be able to help. And that has to work both ways.”