Slightly off topic - Whats the Big Deal about Organ Donation?

One person in the United Kingdom dies every day due to not receiving an organ transplant in time. This is a plea. Not only for your hearts, but for your kidneys, livers, corneas and anything else you are willing to donate.


There are over 7,500 patients within the United Kingdom that are waiting for organ transplant. However, the scheme currently working in the UK means that if a person dies, their organs cannot be used, unless they are signed up to the Organ Donation Register.

In a recent survey, of 2000 people by the BMA’s Medical Ethics Committee, just over a quarter were registered organ donators. Yet, nearly two thirds of people questioned agreed that they would be willing to donate their organs after their death.

The “Opt-Out” scheme, which is currently under review, has come under fire by some individuals claiming that they do not wish for, “the state to own their body” or due to religious beliefs. The scheme is, initially, exactly what it says on the tin. People wishing for their organs not to be used after their death can “Opt-Out” by simply signing a piece of paper. Those who do not “Opt-Out” are ultimately giving presumed consent for the use of their organs after their death. It’s simple.

The “Opt-Out” transplant system has been introduced in many European countries, including Spain where the transplant rate is three times higher than in the UK. Their “soft” presumed consent system is encouraged by the UK Government as it takes into account the wishes of the relatives before an organ donation is made. However, in Austria a “hard” presumed consent is enforced and relatives are not consulted before organ donation of the deceased.

With the number of people needing a transplant rising by 8% each year, it is essential that the government enforces the presumed consent system, if not compulsory donation after ones death.

Those objecting to the presumed consent system due to their lack of trust in the NHS and medical systems should understand that; if those thousands waiting for an organ transplant received what they are entitled to, a life, the NHS would save £150million a year. If saving a life is not a good enough reason to donate organs, then saving millions of pounds a year, which could be used on improving the NHS, must be an adequate motive.

Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, is now insisting that every secondary school pupil is educated and encouraged into donating their organs after their death. A free, “Give and Let Live” pack has been sent to secondary schools across the country, aimed at 14 to 16year olds, to inform them of the affects of blood, organ and tissue donation and how they can get involved. In my opinion, all students should also be educated on living donations where pieces of your liver, lungs or kidneys can be used to save a life.

The subject of organ donation can turn into one of those conversations at the pub, “Would you give me your kidney, if I needed it?” Of course, whether the entire truth was told is another story, everyone would automatically agree because when it’s personal it’s a lot easier to relate. To me, organ donation is seen as an act of altruism, however in this day and age, I feel it should be compulsory and seen as normality.

Get Your Leg Over - Your Guide to the Latest Trends

Leggings should be a staple in your wardrobe this Autumn/Winter with lace, wet-look and the “Soft Goth” look prominent on the catwalks, leggings are the easiest translation of these trends. Think tight, shiny and lacy, Alexander McQueen created a pair completely covered in sequins, not a bit like those eighties numbers featured in Fame!

With black being the unmistakable favourite colour of many designers this season, it’s obvious that; Black is the new black. Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and the King of Gothic; Alexander McQueen all uncovered their sinister sides, using different textures, materials and shades. Even though wearing all black and dramatic make-up may seem a bit daunting, we’re offering a new way for you to embrace this season’s dark trend without looking like Mortisha Adams.

Sometimes creating a wearable on trend outfit may seem like an impossible task. Don’t worry about piling on every item of black, lacy, wet-look clothing you own; invest in a few good pairs of black leggings varied in texture and it’ll definitely vamp up your wardrobe.

Designers and the high street are whipping up various versions of leggings for you to squeeze into. Les Chiffoniers has cleverly mastered some amazing wet-look black PVC leggings which would look super-vamp and very stylish under a long t-shirt or with a plain black top. If you’re purse strings don’t stretch that far, (£200 might be a bit steep!) Topshop and American Apparel do some really good alternatives.

Topshop offer some fancy lace leggings that could be worn under a Little Black Dress or just with your favourite mini skirt. Their take on black wet-look leggings have now officially sold out in most stores, well done to those lucky few to have grabbed a pair!

American Apparel, after becoming popular with Londoners recently, has a wide range of leggings; from shiny, matte; high-waisted and stirrup, starting from a reasonable £20.

Designer Kova and T, a firm favourite of the Oslen Twins, offer some über-tight lace and leather leggings that are definitely worth investing in. Sling on a rock tee and sunglasses, Mary-Kate and Ashley would be proud.

So, put your woolly tights in the bin and pull up your leggings this autumn, they’ll keep you warm, stylish and will definitely give you that gothic edge.

Alexander McQueen A/W 2001 Description

As Marilyn Manson’s “Disposable Teens” blasts out of the speakers, models strut along the round runway looking like a cross between a heroin addict and a 1920’s flapper. There are trips and stumbles but nothing can take away from the atmosphere that is created by the music, lights and fantastic clothes by Alexander McQueen in his Autumn/Winter 2001 collection. The contrast between the hard rock music, children laughing and light, twinkly music sends a shiver down my spine as connotations of old-fashioned horror films enter my mind.

After the long PVC coats, bare-breasted models and dresses made entirely of see-through lace have fiercely carried themselves off the catwalk, the lights go out. Complete darkness. Children’s laughter is heard and as the lights go up; old, broken, terrifying toys start to move to the right of the catwalk. They almost look alive. Models emerge from around the catwalk, which has turned into more of a stage at a theatre, than a fashion show.

Faces are painted like sad clowns contrasting to the extravagant garments that are worn. The image that stands out in my head most; a model, dragging a golden skeleton by her foot, walks two-and-fro along the catwalk, adds a morbidly glamorous tone to McQueen’s already gloomy show.