1,891 residents alive thanks to organ donors

This figure was revealed by NHS Blood and Transplant, whose annual Transplant Activity Report shows the UK-wide number of people alive thanks to transplants has reached the milestone figure of 50,000.

NHS Blood and Transplant is now urging people in West Yorkshire to help even more people to survive by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.

In West Yorkshire, the number of people on the register has increased by 23% over the past five years.

There are now 731,335 people on the register in West Yorkshire. This includes 134,266 people on the register in Kirklees – compared to 108,040 five years ago.

Sally Johnson, director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “More people than ever in West Yorkshire are committing to organ donation and that is saving more lives than ever.

“It’s amazing to picture all the people now alive today thanks to organ donation and think of all the families and children who have grown up thanks to donors.

“We’re seeing more and more people committing to donation and the good results of our close work with hospitals. Our specialist nurses in organ donation are now almost always involved in discussions with families over organ donation.

“However there is still a long way to go. Around three people still die a day in need of a transplant. Every one of those people who died could be a mother or a father, a daughter or a son, who might be alive today.

“Families tell us donation is a source of pride that helps them in their grieving process.

“We don’t want anyone in West Yorkshire to miss the opportunity to save lives through organ donation. Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

“It only takes two minutes.”