Organ Donation

Vinnie Jones, actor and former Premiership footballer

"Ever since my wife Tanya had a heart transplant at Harefield Hospital back in 1987, I've realised just how important organ donation is.

I feel passionate about the whole issue of transplantation. Tanya became ill during her pregnancy with our daughter Kaley and but for the wonderful doctors at Harefield Hospital and, of course, the donor who made her transplant possible, I would have lost her.The very fact that we could renew our wedding vows 13 years after our wedding, watch our children grow and for them to have a mother and father is down to Tanya's transplant. It's vital that more people join the NHS Organ Donor Register."

Rhod Gilbert, comedian

"Joining the register was something I'd been planning to do for ages, but like a lot of people I just never seemed to get round to doing it. Now I have, and by making a lasting record of my wishes by joining the register and talking about them with my family, people know what I want.

Transplants help save so many lives every year, which is why I urge everyone who wants to help to do the same."

Amanda Protheroe-Thomas, TV presenter

"Hundreds of people are needlessly dying every year because of the desperate shortage of organs for transplant. All of us can help by talking about our donation wishes with our loved ones and joining the NHS Organ Donor Register. By doing so you are sending a real message of hope to the thousands of people who need a transplant."

Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, Paralympian

"I have joined the register because when the time comes I want to help others needing a transplant to have a second chance."

Richard Jones, Stereophonics bass player

"By joining the Organ Donor Register and talking about your wishes with your family, you're offering hope to the thousands of people who need a transplant."

"As Chancellor of Durham University, I've launched a campaign to get the maximum number of Durham students to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register. My hope is that within a year we'll be able to say that Durham is the most signed-up University in the United Kingdom.

I would urge everybody who is inclined to sign up to do so. It only takes a minute, but for someone somewhere it might be the most important minute you ever take."

Gavin Henson, Ospreys and Wales international rugby player

"Hundreds of people are dying every year because of the desperate shortage of organs for donation. That is why I am supporting UK Transplant's mail drop and backing the people of Swansea to do so too. Hopefully, like me, you will want to help. If you do, please talk about your wishes with your family and fill in the form to join the register."

Emma Scott, Kerrang! FM DJ

"Pledging the gift of life and joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is one of the most caring and inspiring things you can do as a person. I want to help others have a second chance when the time comes, which is why I have talked about my wishes with my family and joined the register."

Richard and Judy, TV presenters

"We both feel incredibly strongly about organ donation. Although it is an enormously difficult decision for a family to make, often in the most harrowing of circumstances, the tremendous generosity of donors and their families helps transform the lives of thousands of people every year. Nothing could be more important or sacred than that.

More than 400 people die every year before getting that second chance a transplant could give them. Please help; talk about your donation wishes with your family, and like us, carry an Organ Donor Card, and join the NHS Organ Donor Register."

"When I was told that Asian people are thirteen times more likely than the rest of the population to develop kidney failure, it really made me aware of the importance of organ donation. I was pleased to lend my support to the Can we count on you? Organ donation campaign and hope it encourages more Asian people to give the gift of life and sign up as organ donors."

Jeremy Paxman, presenter

"Organ donation is an emotive subject. It's not easy talking about your death or the death of those you love. But I would encourage everyone to think about organ donation and to share their wishes with loved ones.

An additional step would be to join the NHS Organ Donor Register - I've done it. Joining takes very little time, costs nothing and gives someone else the potential of either an improved life or life itself. "

Gaby Logan, presenter

"I am delighted to lend my support to the 10th anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register. Many of us walk around with the thought that we would like to help others after our death by donating our organs, but never actually do anything about it.

When you are younger, you don't like to think about dying but my brother died from Cardiomyopathy when he was only 15 and it completely changed my outlook on life. It made me realise that we shouldn't shy away from discussing important things, like our wishes towards organ donation, and that we should make sure our friends and families know our feelings about such matters.

I'd encourage others to think about turning their good intentions into action, sign up to the register and tell their friends and family of their wishes - and do it now!"

David Gower, former England cricketer and presenter

"Over 400 people died last year while waiting for a transplant, so it's important that you think about organ donation and discuss your wishes with your friends and family.

If I needed a transplant I would be willing to receive, therefore I should be willing to donate.

I have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register and would encourage others to do the same."

Gina Yashere, comedienne

"It's fantastic that over 14 million people have already expressed their wishes to help someone else live, after their death. Unfortunately just 1% of people who have signed the NHS Organ Donor Register are black.

There's an acute shortage of black donors, even though black people are much more likely to need an organ transplant. That's why we're appealing to people to help out their community and put something back by becoming a life-saver."

Jon Snow, presenter

"Organ donation is an area in need of support and attention. Signing the NHS Organ Donor Register could dramatically improve or save someone's life one day and brings hope to everyone waiting for a transplant. I would encourage everyone to think about joining the register, and to talk about it with their family."

Alan Hansen, former Liverpool and Scotland international footballer and presenter

"If you're young, fit and healthy, organ donation is not something you think about, unless it directly affects you.

I have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register as it will give someone else the potential of either an improved life or life itself.

If you feel the same way, then please turn your good intentions into action and register today."

Trisha Goddard, presenter

"I've just added my name to the NHS Organ Donor Register via email. It's funny, I've always been a passionate believer in passing on whatever talents, lessons learned, life experiences etc to others which is why I love doing my chat show.

This appeal made me think: why shouldn't we also pass on the gift of life to others after we've gone.  Giving someone another chance of leaving the happy memories we're all so keen to leave loved ones with.

It's especially important for those of us with backgrounds of rich cultural diversity to become organ donors, so that others who share our heritage can benefit. I guess it's yet another way of spreading our spirits and souls."

Nina Wadia, comedienne

"As a community, we need to help ourselves and take the lead with issues such as this. A transplant is more likely to succeed if the donor is from the same ethnic background, so we need more Asians to come forward and make a commitment to donating their organs after death.

It's not an easy issue to understand or for families to come to terms with, but the fact is that we can help save lives."

Sally Gunnell, Olympic gold medallist

"I have told my family that I want to help someone live after my death, and signed the NHS Organ Donor Register. If you feel the same way, then please turn your good intentions into action and join the NHS Organ Donor Register today!"

Nicky Grist, former World Rally Championship co-driver

"I think the NHS Organ Donor Register is overlooked by people, because many still don't know how vital and important it is. My wife already knows that if I die I wish for my organs to be donated to help as many people as they can. Hopefully, more people will do the same."

Rob da Bank, Radio 1 DJ

"From a young age I knew how important transplants were and the hope they offer to thousands of people of living a normal life, which is why I'm registered on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Now, more than ever, I feel it's essential that people who need a transplant have the chance of staying alive - so please support the cause, talk to your family and friends about your wishes and, like me, join the Organ Donor Register."