FORTY-SIX people in Cheshire have died waiting for organ transplants in the past five years, prompting a call for donors.

The NHS is asking families to talk about organ donation, ahead of the law change in spring 2020.

The law change will presume adult organs can be donated after death unless a person opts out, and will be named after Winsford's Max Johnson and nine-year-old Keira Ball who gave her heart to save his life.

Chester and District Standard:

Max Johnson

More people than ever before across the UK donated their organs after their deaths last year, with 28 people from Cheshire donating their organs after death.

Nationally, there was a record number of organ donors, with 1,600 people saving lives through deceased organ donation over the last year.

However, the report also shows that, across the UK, fewer people died in circumstances where they were able to donate their organs – 225 fewer than in 2017/18.

Anthony Clarkson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the courageous donors and their families across the country, who helped us to save so many lives last year.

“Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people. We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to let their final act to be saving lives through organ donation.

“No lifesaving transplant would be possible without the generosity of every donor and their families, who give their support and say ‘yes’ to organ donation.

“There are 76 people in Cheshire waiting for a transplant now. Their only hope for a new life is that a family in their time of grief will make the wonderful decision to agree to organ donation.

“With the law around organ donation changing in England from next spring, we urge everyone to find out about the choices available to them, make their decision and share it with their family.”

Although around half a million people die in the UK each year, only around one per cent do so in circumstances allowing organ donation.

Visit organdonation.nhs.uk