A CAMPAIGN has been launched to increase the number of organ donors in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

Organisers of the ‘We Need Everybody’ initiative are calling on people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Statistics released to coincide with the campaign show there are currently 4,345 people in Scotland who are living with a transplant, thanks to organ donors and their families.

Currently, 45 per cent of the population in Scotland is on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

However, with someone dying every day in the UK while waiting on an organ transplant, the more people that join, the more lives can be saved.

The Scottish Government recently outlined its intention to introduce legislation for a soft opt-out system of organ tissue and donation, with a view to adding to the package of measures already in place to increase donation rates.

Public Minister for Health Aileen Campbell hopes the new campaign can help to change attitudes towards organ donation.

She said: “We must always be mindful that most organ and tissue donation can only occur as a result of tragic circumstances and I’d like to thank every donor and their family who has made the selfless decision to donate their organs or tissue and enabled others to live and transform their lives.

“Every person that joins the NHS Organ Donor Register could potentially save a life and give hope to the 580 people waiting for a transplant in Scotland.

“If you support organ donation, I’d encourage you to join the Register today and tell your family of your decision.”

A series of adverts to highlight the We Need Everybody campaign will run on television and digital media over the next seven weeks.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit organdonationscotland.org