Gordon Brown has said he wants a national debate about whether to change the system of organ donation in the UK.
Organ donor shortage is a serious issue. But while nearly 90 per cent of the UK population say they'd be willing to donate their organs after death, only about 20 per cent of people have actually put their names on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
One option is to move to an opt-out system where consent to organ donation is presumed unless one officially states otherwise. This is the system used in most other European countries. Read about the issues here.
While some families take comfort in the knowledge that their loved one's death can help many others live, other families make desperate pleas for donors to come forward.
There are a number of different ways to sign up to the Organ Donor Register:
By adding your details online to the NHS Organ Donor Register
By telephoning the Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400.
When completing a driving licence application form.
When registering with a new doctor or GP's surgery.
When applying for a Boots Advantage Card.
When applying for a new passport, using the leaflet enclosed with the application form.
When registering for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), using the leaflet enclosed with the application form.
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