SIX people in the borough have died waiting for an organ transplant during the last five years, it has been revealed amid Organ Donation Week.

To mark the national campaign spreading the message ‘Words Saves Lives’, the NHS is making an urgent appeal for families to tell their loved ones they want to save lives through organ donation.

Across Hampshire 135 people’s lives were saved by a transplant last year.

Councils and organisations around the country are lighting prominent buildings pink, which is the colour of the modern donor card, in support of the country’s organ donation campaign.

Anthony Clarkson, Interim Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “It’s tragic that so many people from Hampshire have died waiting for a transplant – what is shocking is that many of those lives could have been saved, had more families agreed to donate organs.

“People are dying every day because some families are not talking about donation. We need more families in Hampshire to say yes to organ donation, so that more lives can be saved.”

While the number of donors is rising and waiting lists are reducing, there are currently 6,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the UK.

Mr Clarkson added: ““Please, let your family know your decision and ask them if they want to be donors. Don’t leave your family guessing what you would have wanted to happen.

“We know that many families feel enormous pride and comfort at knowing that their relative went on to save lives through the gift of organ donation.”

To join the NHS Organ Donation Register, go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk