People urged to join organ donor register as 10 people in Hartlepool wait for transplants

NHS Blood and Transplant service is calling one people to join the donor register to help save lives.

There are 36,386 people on the NHS organ Donor Register in Hartlepool and there are 10 people on the transplant waiting list.

Across County Durham there are 77 people on the transplant waiting list.

NHS Blood and Transplant has released the figures to mark the publication of its annual Transplant Activity Report today.

The report reveals there is growing support for organ donation around the country, and nationally there was a record number of organ donors, with 1,574 people saving lives through deceased organ donation over the last year.

In Hartlepool five people became lifesaving deceased donors over the past year, and across County Durham there was 23.

However the overall shortage of donors remains and there is an urgent need for more people to support donation.

Around three people die a day in need of a donated organ but many people have never told their relatives they want to save lives.

Srevice bosses say that letting your family know that you want to donate will make it much easier for them to support what you want.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the families who have chosen to say ‘yes’ to organ donation.

“Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people. We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to save lives through organ donation. We want more people to have that opportunity.”

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation.

However many over 50s don’t join the register or tell their families they want to donate. Join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk