Shortage of organ donors costing lives

Organ donor awareness week is being launched today, amidst increasing refusal by families to release organs of their deceased relatives.

Donated kidneys, hearts and livers have fallen by 30% in the wake of the organ retention scandal.

It is hoped the week-long event which gets underway this Saturday, will encourage more people to carry donor cards.

Chief Executive of the Irish Kidney Association Mark Murphy said the fallout from the scandal is costing lives.