ACROSS the region hundreds of people are facing Christmas waiting for a call that could ensure their future with a life saving organ transplant.

In North Yorkshire 93 people are on the organ transplant list, in Durham 99 people are waiting for life saving operations and in Tyne and Wear 118 are on the list. Across the country 6,000 people are on the list including over 180 children.

Organ donation organisers at NHS Blood and Transplant are appealing to families and individuals to consider joining the register.

Director Anthony Clarkson said: "Christmas is an incredibly busy time of year, however away from the rush and bustle of preparing for the holiday it should also be a time for family and thinking of others.

"We are urging everyone to take a moment to think about the people who will spend their Christmas hoping for just one thing; a life saving organ transplant. Would you like to help if you could? If you needed a transplant, would you want someone to donate to you?

"Please let your family know what your organ donation decision is so that we can save more lives. Every precious organ donor allows more families to spend special times together. A quick chat can save lives, and we know that even at a time of grief families take enormous comfort and pride from their loved one’s donation."

Next spring the law around organ donation is changing with all adults considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they opt not to donate.

The campaign is being backed by the Eaves family whose nine month old baby son Ethan has been on the transplant list for over 100 days and is in desperate need of a heart transplant. His dad Richard had a heart transplant in January. Mum Roselelia, from Luton, said: "It is mixed emotions because we know without a heart Ethan will die but then we know and understand another child will have die for Ethan to live. It's hard to comprehend it and we wouldn't wish anyone to be in this situation, but we are and are just trying to remain as positive as we can."

The Buckley family from Nottingham are also supporting the campaign. Father Keith sadly died in December 2015 after falling off a ladder while putting Christmas lights up. The retired fire officer suffered a serious head injury but his kidneys helped two people. Daughter, Jane Stubbs said they gain comfort every day from the fact he saved lives by becoming an organ donor.

For information or to join the register go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk