WHILE people in Redditch, Bromsgrove and Droitwich are looking forward to spending Christmas with their loved ones and exchanging gifts, 67 people in Worcestershire on the waiting list for a transplant will be hoping they will soon get the gift of an organ.

This December, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is running the Christmas List campaign, to draw attention to the thousands of people who are waiting for a transplant across the UK and to encourage everyone to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Sadly, not all of those waiting will get the transplant they need. New figures show 34 patients in Worcestershire have died while on the transplant waiting list during the last five years, and their families will be facing Christmas without them.

Other people have been more fortunate and will be able to celebrate Christmas looking ahead to a brighter future. 37 patients in Worcestershire have received a transplant already this year thanks to families agreeing to donate a loved one’s organs.

Emma Lawson, an NHSBT specialist nurse in organ donation based in Worcestershire Royal Hospital, said: "It is humbling to work with people following the loss of a loved one at any time of year, not just at Christmas, and it is very rewarding to fulfil the wishes of a donor and their family to save lives.

"Organ donors save or improve the quality of life of seriously ill patients. For many patients a transplant is the only option left and their life depends on families agreeing to donate.

"I urge people in Worcestershire to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and to tell those closest to them their decision. I know that many families find it easier to support donation when they know their loved one wanted to be an organ donor."

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation, said: "Quite simply, there is a shortage of donated organs but if more families agreed to donate a loved one’s organs, more people would get the transplants they need.

"So when you are spending time with your loved ones this Christmas, please take a few minutes to sign the Organ Donor Register, and tell your family you’d be proud to become a donor. By telling those closest to you that you want to donate you will remove the burden of them having to guess what you would have wanted at a difficult time."

To join, see organdonation.nhs.uk, call 0300 123 23 23 or text SAVE to 62323.