THE figures speak for themselves – nearly 200 people are waiting for life-changing organ donation transplants while the number of donors dwindle.

New figures from NHS Blood and Transplant Service reveals the number of people donating organs in the UK has fallen for the first time in 11 years.

This week is National Transplant Week yet a third of adults admit they haven’t decided whether to donate their organs after their death.

Across Essex there are 184 people waiting for a transplant. Last year 80 people in the county had their lives saved or transformed thanks to organ donation.

Garry Philpot is encouraging others to join the register after his mother’s organs helped a young mum with a life-threatening illness. Sheila Rosemary Philpot died in June aged 78 after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Her sons Garry, 45, and Mark, 42, decided to donate her liver, kidneys and corneas after speaking to the donation team at Southend Hospital.

“Mum had spoken to us before about it, she didn’t hold a donor card but she had always said she would like to give as much as she can,” explains Garry, of Grahams Close, Hockley.

“We thought she might be too old to donate, but the team were really helpful and said some of her organs could be used for research and others could go to people waiting on the list.”

Mrs Philpot’s kidneys were given tomedical research and her corneas are waiting for someone in need. Her liver was given to a mum-of-two in her thirties who was battling a life-threatening illness.

Mr Philpot said: “It was a silver lining really when we found out about the transplant. The organ donation team sent us a letter saying the woman was home and recovering. It was a real comfort.

“We announced it at mum’s funeral and it was a real talking point, nobody there knew anyone who had donated before.

“My wife and I were already on the register and we donate platelets. My brother has now signed up. It was when we were sitting in the waiting room all upset and my wife said we could help other families who are also sitting in these waiting rooms hearing the worst.”

Mr Philpot, a father-of-five, said families can take comfort from the fact they are helping others in need. He said: “It’s something people need to consider and the fact mum has helped this woman and could help others is a real comfort.

“At the funeral after hearing about the organ donation, one of the kids came up to me and said ‘nanny was a real hero’ and she really was.

“The fact you’re giving someone else a life, it really hits home.

Mum was in hospital for two days attached to all these machines when we were told there was nothing more we could do and when you think of other families sitting in other waiting rooms, the fact they could be getting some happier news, it’s really important.”

As part of National Transplant Week, this week NHS Blood and Transplant wants to get the whole nation talking about organ donation and the importance of sharing decisions on being an organ donor with family and close friends.

Hannah Perry is a specialist nurse for organ donation and works for the NHS Blood and Transplant Servide across all hospitals in Essex, including Basildon Hospital.

Although transplant operations are not carried out at Basildon Hospital, there are occasions when there is a potential donor, which prompts Hannah’s involvement.

Hannah said: “My role is to liaise with and support the donor’s family to make sure that they understand the process and get consent, and I help to facilitate the actual donation.”

“National Transplant Week is a good opportunity not only to encourage people to join the organ donor register, but to remind those on the register to discuss their wishes with their family.

“I come into contact with families at an extremely difficult time to discuss the possibility of donation.

We sometimes find that families are reluctant, but when they find out that their loved-one is on the organ donor register, and it is their wish that their organs are donated, they are much more likely to agree.

“We would always respect the wishes of the family so, if you are on the organ donor register, having the conversation can help your next of kin know that they are making the right decision on your behalf.”

Donated organs or tissue such as corneas, skin and bone can go to anybody on the transplant waiting list, anywhere in the country, once the potential recipient has been confirmed as compatible.

Go to organdonation.nhs.uk to find out more information.

THE nation is urged to break its silence on organ donation and say “Yes, I Donate” during National Transplant Week, which runs this week.

The NHS Blood and Transplant Service wants to get the UK talking about organ donation and the importance of sharing decisions on being an organ donor with family and close friends.

The Seven Days to Say Yes I Donate campaign aims to help break down barriers and taboos about organ donation.

Anthony Clarkson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s assistant director for organ donation and nursing said: “Every day three people die in need of a transplant.

“Yet across the UK one in three adults haven’t considered organ donation or decided whether they want to be an organ donor.

“To save more lives we need more donors.

“To raise that number we really need everyone to understand the importance of not being complacent.

“We need to get to the point where organ donation is high on the list of important personal conversations we routinely have with loved ones.”