MORE than 600 people in Gloucestershire are alive thanks to organ transplants.

The figure of 663 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.

The group is now urging people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register to help even more people.

In Gloucestershire, the number of people on the register has increased by 33 percent over the past five years.

Last year 58 people in Gloucestershire had transplants, compared to 42 five years ago.

Despite the record breaking public commitment to donation, there is still a shortage of organ donors.

Nationally, three people still die a day in need of a transplant and there are still around 6,400 people currently waiting for a transplant.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “More people than ever in Gloucestershire 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 die 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 Gloucestershire to miss the opportunity to save lives through organ donation. Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register. It only takes two minutes.”

Join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk