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From: Hull Daily Mail 27/5/2003
Date: 05/06/03
Time: 22:08:54
Remote Name: 213.249.214.48
40,000 SIGN FOR LIFE
09:30 - 27 May 2003
More than 40,000 people across the county have signed up to be a potential lifesaver. They have added their names to the NHS Organ Donor Register in a campaign spearheaded by East Riding Council.
And today civic leaders praised the selfless attitude of the many who have joined the initiative to boost the list of potential donors.
Many were inspired by heart transplant patient Hannah Pudsey, 15, of Nafferton, near Driffield, and nine-year-old leukaemia sufferer Molly-Ann Barnett, of Hessle, who received a bone marrow transplant.
Donor forms were sent out with electoral registration forms to every house in the East Riding in September last year.
Council officials were amazed more than 40,000 people said they wanted to become potential lifesavers by returning the organ donor forms.
Councillor Rowan Blake-James, who recently stepped down as chairman of the Beverley-based council, said the campaign was one of the highlights of her year of office.
She said: "It is brilliant so many people responded.
"To get so many to sign up and become donor card holders is beyond my wildest dreams. It restores your faith in human nature.
"It is reassuring to know residents are thinking about doing something generous that will help seriously ill people and might even save lives."
Cllr Blake-James, of Pocklington, promoted the council's donor card campaign throughout her year of office, which ended earlier this month.
She said: "I was one of the first people to add my name to the register because it is such a good cause.
"There are so many sick people waiting for organs, and each year about 400 people die in Britain due to a shortage of donors."
Cllr Blake-James hopes the campaign's momentum will not stop and more people will add their names to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
East Riding Council was one of 39 local authorities from across the country taking part in the campaign.
UK Transplant spokesman Bob Corfield said: "We compile the organ donor register, and this has been a fantastic result.
"The East Riding has produced one of the best results in the campaign, and the people living there have certainly taken the message on board.
"It will help give hope to more than 5,500 people in the UK who are waiting for an organ transplant."
For information on how to sign up for the organ donor register, ring 0845 6060 400. Alternatively log on to www.uktransplant.org.uk website.
dtaylor@hulldailymail.co.uk