More people are being urged to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register and discuss their wishes with their families during Organ Donation Week, which runs until Sunday.

In North Herts, 14 people received a transplant last year and 10 people are currently on the transplant waiting list, but six people have died waiting for a transplant during the last five years. There are 59,656 people signed up to the register.

In Stevenage, eight people received a transplant last year and five or fewer people are on the transplant waiting list.

Five or fewer people in Stevenage have died waiting to have a transplant during the last five years and there are currently 32,019 people on the register.

In Central Bedfordshire, there are 115,814 people on the Organ Donor Register, with 20 people on the transplant waiting list and 19 people having received a transplant last year. Eight people have died waiting for a transplant during the last five years.

In South Cambridgeshire, there are 90,370 people on the register, with 10 people waiting for a transplant and 17 people having received one last year. Ten people have died waiting for a transplant during the last five years.

Dr Prag Moodley, a Stevenage GP and chairman of the East and North Herts Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We need more people to talk about organ donation to increase the number of lifesaving transplants.

“Sadly, many opportunities are lost every year because families don’t know if their loved one wanted to be a donor or not. We can change things, but we need to get people talking.”

Anthony Clarkson, for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “People are dying because some families are not talking about donation. We need more families to say yes to organ donation, so more lives can be saved.

“Organ donation legislation will change to a deemed consent system in England and Scotland in future years, but the harsh fact is people are dying right now waiting for an organ and it will still be important for people to know your decision.

“We don’t want people to die because of a fatal complacency that because you know you want to be an organ donor you presume your loved ones know it too.

“Please, let your family know your decision and ask them if they want to be donors.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit organdonation.nhs.uk