Six people currently needing organ transplant in Northamptonshire are ‘likely to die on waiting list’, according to NHS

And, statistically, one in ten of those people will die on the waiting list, the NHS has said.

Already, a total of 41 people needing a transplant have died in Northamptonshire since April 2011.

Sally Johnson, of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Statistically, more than one in ten people on the waiting list will die before they get the transplant they need.

“For some organs, the picture is significantly bleaker. More than one in four people waiting for lungs will die.”

Of the 64 people on the register, 21 have been waiting longer than two years.

And seven of those have been on the UK’s waiting list for more than five years.

Mrs Johnson appealed to people to think how desperate they would be if their son or their wife was the one waiting,

She said; “Their whole life would be on hold, hoping someone will donate to save them.

“I’m sure we’d all hope an organ would be available to help someone we love - so shouldn’t we all pledge to be organ donors so more lives can be saved?”

“If you haven’t told those closest to you that you want to be an organ donor, then please do it today.”

The figures coincide with the launch of a new organ donation campaign ‘The Wait’ to highlight the true scale of the shortage.

It launches with the screening of a 14 hour-long film capturing a day in the life of patient Simon Howell, 41, his wife Anita, also 41, and their children Sarah, 8, and James, 3.

Simon was added to the transplant waiting list for a new kidney and has been waiting longer than six years already.

Tell them you want to be an organ donor and record your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visitorgandonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.