A MAN who underwent a lifesaving kidney transplant is urging people to join the organ donor register after new figures revealed more than a dozen are waiting in south Cumbria for the ultimate gift of life.

Stephen Hancock, of Bootle, spent three-years on the waiting list before rushing to Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for the operation in November 2016.

Overall there are 6,155 people on the UK transplant waiting list and around three people per day die due to a shortage of organs.

One person could save up to eight people.

Since April this year there have been 2,338 people who have had transplants -but there are 15 people waiting for the life-changing moment in Barrow and Copeland.

Both Barrow and Copeland have 36 per cent of the population signed up to the organ donor register. The national average is 39 per cent.

Mr Hancock, who is working alongside the people in Millom, said: "Our region of friendly and community minded people really ought to be above rather than below the national average.

"I am not sure what the issue might be, but it is clear that not enough is being done to help people understand how the whole process works."

He added: “There are many misunderstandings about the subject, and I feel people should be free to make up their own minds but based on the real pros and cons of donation and transplantation.

"This issue of donor rates is key as there are clear signs that the demand for organs is increasing as medical improvements are allowing the NHS to transplant into older and sicker patients, and various lifestyle issues such as increased Type 2 diabetes are leading to an increase in demand for simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplants. Whilst on the other side of the coin the improvements in general levels of safety and in medical care are potentially reducing the number of younger donors."

Should you wish to talk to someone local about organ donation and transplantation, including the option of a presentation to a club, society or school, you can drop a line via the Facebook page 'Donor Community Around the Combe' or research online at organdonation.nhs.uk.

Or call 0300 123 23 23.