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Cornwall landmarks glow pink for organ donation awareness

RCHT St Ives ChapelRCHT
The chapel on the island in St Ives glowed pink

Landmarks of Cornwall have been lit up this week with pink lights to raise awareness of the need for organ donors.

St Mawes Castle and the Huer's Hut in Newquay were among buildings to be given a cerise glow.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) said it was done to mark Organ Donation Awareness Week 2022.

On Friday night, the "coming home trees" at Cookworthy Knapp, on the Cornwall and Devon border, will be the final landmark to get the treatment.

Truro Cathedral and St Ives' Chapel were the other buildings chosen.

RCHT Truro CathedralRCHT
Truro Cathedral was among buildings to be given a cerise glow

It was hoped the campaign would inspire people to tell their families they wanted to be a donor and to register their decision, campaign bosses said.

NHS Blood and Transplant said families were far more likely to support donation when they already knew it was what their relative wanted.

RCHT Huer's HutRCHT
The Huer's Hut created a striking sight on the coastline at Newquay
RCHT St Mawes CastleRCHT
St Mawes Castle played its part in the campaign

Rebecca Tolmon, organ donation specialist nurse at the RCHT, said: "It can be hard to start these conversations.

"But I'd like to reassure people that families will always be involved if organ donation is a possibility and, by having these difficult conversations, it means your loved ones will be certain what your decision is.

"Whatever you decide about organ donation, leave your family certain."

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