Julie Elliott MP today backed an appeal for Sunderland residents to have “a lifesaving talk” as part of Organ Donation Week.

New figures show 37 people from Sunderland have died waiting for a transplant in the last decade, while 32 city residents are currently on the transplant waiting list.

Julie said: “A great many people in Sunderland Central constituency are on the NHS Organ Donation Register, and I would encourage many more to sign up.

“However, hundreds of lifesaving transplants are being missed around the country every year -; simply because families didn’t know what their relative wanted.”

NHS Blood and Transplant, hospitals has joined with charities and supporters of organ donation to encourage people across the UK to talk about organ donation with their relatives and friends as part of Organ Donation Week.

Julie said: “I’m proud to support this lifesaving appeal and it’s really easy for everyone to take part -; just have a chat.

“That chat might be the next time you sit down for a meal, when you are shopping or working, or when you are just driving in the car.

“If you want to be a donor, your family’s agreement is still needed for donation to go ahead, even if you are on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

Families who agree to donate say it helps with their grief and that they feel enormous sense of pride at knowing their relative gave others the chance of a new beginning.

Fiona Loud, Policy Director of Kidney Care UK, commented: “At least one person dies every single day whilst waiting for a kidney transplant.

“You are more likely to need a transplant than to be a donor so please, this Organ Donation Week, just take a few minutes to have a think about what you would do if you needed a transplant, and have that life-saving chat with your family so they know your wishes.”