NEW figures reveal 29 people from the West Midlands became lifesaving deceased organ donors during the last year, although 306 people are still in need of a transplant.

NHS Blood and Transplant has released the figures today (Monday, July 9) to mark the publication of its annual Transplant Activity Report, with the region’s donors helping the UK reach its highest ever number of contributors.

The report reveals there is growing support for organ donation in the region, although an overall shortage of donors remains and there is an urgent need for more people to support donation.

Across Dudley borough there are 31 people on the transplant waiting list, while 45 people from Sandwell are in need of a lifesaving organ.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the families in the West Midlands who have chosen to say ‘yes’ to organ donation.

“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 save lives through organ donation.

“We want more people to have that opportunity.”

Around three people a day die in need of a donated organ, but many people have never told their relatives they want to save lives.

Sally added: “We need more people aged over 50 in the West Midlands to support donation.

“People in older age groups can still save and transform lives through organ and tissue donation. Many more lives could be saved by telling their families they want to donate.”

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, which can be done at www.organdonation.nhs.uk, age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation, with the average age of donors in the West Midlands during 2017 being 51.