CUMBRIANS are being urged to get involved in an important discussion about life-saving organ donations.

The calls are being made as part of Organ Donation Week by NHS Blood and Transplant, which runs from today until September 8.

Last year, 31 people in Cumbria had their lives saved by a transplant.

The campaign hopes if more people agreed to donate, more lives would be saved in Cumbria and nationwide. There are currently 42 people across the county who are waiting for that life-saving call.

But from next year, the law on organ donation is set to change in England.

In spring 2020, all adults in the country will be considered as having agreed to donate their organs when they die, unless they record a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

In the lead up to the change in law, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging Cumbrian families to talk about their organ donation decision, with the campaign message ‘Pass it on’.

Even after the law has changed, families will continue to be approached before organ donation goes ahead. Knowing what their relative wanted, helps families support their decision at a difficult time.

A recent survey of adults in England for NHS Blood and Transplant found that while 84 per cent agreed it was important to let those closest to them know your views on organ donation, only 40 per cent had shared their organ donation decision with their family or partner.

While more families in the region are saying yes to organ donation, the NHS says there is still an urgent shortage of donors.

Anthony Clarkson, director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We need more people in Cumbria to talk about organ donation to increase the number of life-saving transplants.

“Even after the law around organ donation changes next year, families will still be approached before organ donation goes ahead.

“So it remains so important to talk to your families about your views.

“Register your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family the choice you have made.

“If the time comes, we know families find the organ donation conversation with nurses or medical teams much easier if they already know what their relative wanted.”