Families in Macclesfield are being urged to consider donating their loved ones’ organs after a national fall in donations.

New figures show that 57 people in Cheshire have died waiting for a transplant in the last five years, while 172 more are currently on the waiting list for a transplant.

In 2014/15, the number of people donating organs nationally fell for the first time in 11 years.

On average, three people are dying each day as they await a transplant.

Last year, 49 lives were saved thanks to donations in Cheshire, but around four out of ten families refuse permission for their loved ones’ organs to be used.

NHS Blood and Transplant is now asking people in the region to join the Organ Donor Register and tell their family and friends about their decision.

It says families are more likely to agree to donation if they know it is what their loved ones wanted.

Naomi Hulme is a 22-year-old mother of little Leo, 4. She is in hospital and just about to go on the donor list as she needs a double lung transplant. She has been in hospital for 12 of the last 19 weeks, is fed through a tube and in a wheelchair. the family will be at her bedside. L/R Barrie Naomi Jackie Hulme and 4y old Leo Hulme Photo by Gary Louth, 29/09/2014

Jackie Hulme, whose daughter Naomi Hulme from Macclesfield died last year while waiting for a double lung transplant has backed calls for more people to become donors.

The 22-year-old mother-of-one, who suffered from cystic fibrosis, was due to go on the waiting list for a new pair of lungs when her condition rapidly deteriorated.

Jackie said: “This is really important. We need more people to come forward as donors. It’s a big thing when you become a donor.

“You feel good that you are going to do some good for somebody and help save lives.”

It takes two minutes to register your wish to become an organ donor.

Sally Johnson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, said: “We are truly grateful to the deceased donors who enabled 49 people in Cheshire to receive an organ transplant last year. Sadly, 57 people have died while waiting on the transplant waiting list in the past five years.

“We cannot hope to save more lives unless there is a revolution in attitudes towards organ donation. We need everyone talk about organ donation with their families and agree to donate if ever they are asked.

“We understand that families are expected to consider donation in their darkest hour. So we would remind everyone - tell those closest to you now if you want to donate your organs and record that decision by joining the 359,508 people from Cheshire who are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 2323.”