University Hospital Southampton is asking people to register their decision to be an organ donor

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is urging people to register their organ donation decision to help save lives.

The call is being made as part of Organ Donation Week this week, which runs from Monday 22 September to Sunday 28 September.

More than 12,000 people in the UK have died or been removed from the transplant waiting list over the past ten years before receiving the lifesaving organs they desperately needed, including 100 people in Hampshire.

Figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to mark Organ Donation Week show that 4,900 people died while actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant, and a further 7,700 were removed from the active list after being deemed too sick to receive one, with many dying soon after – highlighting the urgent need to increase organ donation registrations.

Earlier this year, NHSBT revealed the transplant waiting list had reached its highest level ever recorded with 8,000 people actively waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Currently 193 people in Hampshire are waiting for a transplant.

Charlotte Fitzpatrick, specialist nurse in organ donation at UHS, said: “I would urge everyone who supports organ donation to register their decision and make it clear that it’s what you want should the worst happen. It only takes two minutes to register but it could save the lives of people who so desperately need a transplant. Please sign up. It’s the best thing you’ll do today.”

More than 44,000 lives saved or improved through deceased and living donor organ transplants in the past decade. But with thousands still waiting, NHSBT is urging people to take just two minutes today to confirm their decision to be an organ donor.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, NHSBT said: “Someone will die today waiting for an organ transplant. You are more likely to need a transplant than you ever are to be a donor. Most of us would accept an organ if we needed one, but far fewer of us have made the decision to donate. By confirming your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, you could save or transform up to nine lives.”

Councils, businesses, hospitals and community groups across the country are joining together for Organ Donation Week by turning their buildings pink, in memory of more than 400 people who died last year waiting for a transplant, and to encourage people to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

The Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios in Southampton are shining a light on the importance of organ donation by turning pink.

A Mayflower spokesperson said: “As landmark venues in Southampton, we hope that in lighting our buildings up pink to support the campaign, we can help to amplify the message of how important organ donation is for Southampton and the surrounding area”

To find out more, and confirm your support for organ donation, visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk, call 0300 123 23 23 or use the NHS app.