THE number of people in Cheshire on the organ donor register has increased by 28 per cent over the past five years.

Figures released in NHS Blood and Transplant's annual Transplant Activity Report on Tuesday, July 11, also show that the number of people in the county currently known to be alive thanks to organ transplants has reached 714.

Among those on the register are 154,667 people in east Cheshire, compared to 120,740 five years ago, and 143,446 people in west Cheshire, compared to 112,858 in 2012.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “More people than ever in Cheshire 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.

“However there is still a long way to go. Around three people still die a day in need of a transplant.

“Families tell us donation is a source of pride that helps them in their grieving process. We don’t want anyone in Cheshire to miss the opportunity to save lives through organ donation.”

In 2016-17, 27 people in east Cheshire needed transplants, while 16 needed them in west Cheshire.

Nationally, the number of people known to be alive thanks to organ donation has reached the 50,000 milestone.

More people are alive thanks to transplants because of improving survival rates and increased public commitment to donation, although there are still 6,400 people currently waiting for a transplant.

Across the UK, the number of people on the organ donor register has reached a record number, at 23.6 million – with 36 per cent of the population on the register compared to 30 per cent in 2012.

To join the register, visit organdonation.nhs.uk