PEOPLE desperately waiting for transplant operations in Dorset have more than 1,000 reasons for hope.

Since the Dorset Echo launched its Gift of Life Appeal four months ago a total of 1,032 people in the DT postcode area (Dorset excluding Bournemouth and Poole) have signed up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

That means that, should the worst happen, their organs could be used to provide a life-altering transplant for somebody in dire need.

The campaign was prompted by the story of Weymouth baby Max Price and his mum Michelle.

One-year-old Max has spent much of his young life in and out of hospital as he suffers from chronic renal failure and Michelle has bravely volunteered to donate her kidney to the youngster as soon as he is big enough for the operation.

The Echo and the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) donations service have been trying to encourage as many people as possible to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

More people on the register means that the dozens of people in the county who, like Max, need life-changing transplant operations – but who aren’t so lucky as to have a close family member who is both a willing and compatible donor – have a greater chance of being called in for the procedure.

Michelle was delighted to hear that over 1,000 people had signed up to the register since the baby Max inspired the Gift of Life Appeal.

She said: “It’s fantastic news, every single person makes a difference.

“You never know exactly who will be a match and who the right person is going to be.

“It’s one of those situations, until you are involved in it yourself you don’t realise how important it is.”

Father-of-two Barry Kenneally, 37, from Portland, has been on the waiting list for a kidney and a pancreas for nearly two years.

He said: “I’m very happy that so many people have signed up and I’m glad it’s made a lot of people willing to donate.

“It proves there are a lot of good-natured people in this area that want to help others. I’m very impressed.”

Dr Peter Camm, chairman of the Dorset Kidney Fund also welcomed the news that the Gift of Life Appeal had inspired 1,000 people to sign up to the register.

He said: “I would like to congratulate the Echo on a fantastic campaign.

“I hope the holders of donor cards tell their relatives of their wish to give their organs and that their relatives respect those wishes.

“After all, in some respects the donor is living on by saving somebody else’s life.”

Diana Crowder, who has been on the waiting list for three-and-a-half years and on dialysis for four years said she was still hoping so see the Government adopt an ‘opt out’ system for organ donations.

She added though that, with the present system where people must register to signal their intention to donate their organs, she was pleased more people were signing up.

Transplant survivor Lucy Johnson added: “It is absolutely fantastic that as a result of the Echo campaign there has been an increase in people registering as a donor – long may it continue.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the register.”

  • To sign up for the register you can pick up a form from Echo offices on the Granby Estate, Weymouth or Antelope Walk, Dorchester.

You can also sign up online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk