One person from St Albans dies every year while waiting for an organ transplant.

The NHS has made a direct appeal to the people of Hertfordshire to not wait for the changes to organ donation laws to come into force, and instead register to become a donor.

This is after it was revealed up to five people in St Albans have died in the last five years while on a waiting list

NHS Blood and Transplant’s Anthony Clarkson, said: “It’s tragic that so many people from Hertfordshire have died waiting for a transplant – what is shocking is that many of those lives could have been saved, had more families agreed to donate organs.

“People are dying every day because some families are not talking about donation. We need more families in Hertfordshire to say yes to organ donation, so that more lives can be saved.

“We all know 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.

“We know many families feel enormous pride and comfort at knowing that their relative went on to save lives through the gift of organ donation.”

There are around 6,000 people waiting for an organ transplant across the UK and three people die every day while waiting for one.

Chair of Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group Dr Nicholas Small said: “We need more people in Hertfordshire to talk about organ donation in order to increase the number of lifesaving transplants.

“Only one third of adults in England have told their partner or family they want to donate, despite eight out of 10 people saying they would be willing to donate or would consider it.

“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 your support to get people talking. Please sign up to the organ donation register to pledge your support for the NHS in its 70th year.”

Organ Donation Week is running from September 3 to September 9.

To register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk