SOUTHAMPTON residents are being urged to become organ donors as thousands more wait for a transplant.

People are being asked to register and let their loved ones know what they want to happen to them when they die so that no chance to save a life is missed.

It comes as more than 6,800 people in the UK are spending the festive season waiting for an organ transplant. 

Over 220 of these patients are children.Daily Echo:

A spokesperson for NHS Blood and Transplant said: "These mums, dads, wives, husbands, partners, daughters, and sons can only be saved by someone giving them the greatest gift, the gift of life.

"At a time of giving or making resolutions to do good, let people know you want to save lives.

"Signing up to be an organ donor is quick and easy, and it makes it easier for families if they know what you want.

"Give hope to the thousands of people and hundreds of children on the transplant waiting list.

"Please tell your family about your decision so that they know what you want."

Anyone can join the NHS organ donor register, and age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation.

One donor can save or transform up to nine lives through organ donation and save or transform even more by donating tissue.

Currently, all adults in England are considered to have consented to be organ donors when they die, unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups. 

Adults covered by the change still have a choice about whether they want to be organ donors, and their families will still be involved before organ donation goes ahead.

For more information, visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk.

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