IT is not too late to give the gift of life this Christmas.

Those in desperate need of an organ transplant are living among us – with 23 in Bournemouth, 18 in Poole and dozens more throughout Dorset. The Daily Echo has been running the Give a Life for Christmas campaign to encourage more people to join the register in a bid to decrease the number of avoidable deaths.

The stories we have told have included that of brave Southbourne teenager Lewis Brimble who will require several kidney transplants throughout his life, how Bournemouth councillor David Kelsey had successful surgery on Christmas Day seven years ago and the work of specialist nurses who guide bereaved families through the process.

Although 39 patients in the county have received transplants already in 2014, 28 in the past five years have died waiting.

Sally Johnson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s director of organ donation, said those on the list spend Christmas clouded with anxiety.

“Some severely ill people might spend the whole of Christmas in hospital, just hoping they get a life-saving transplant,” she added.

“We are delighted to have the support from the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo.

“There are 81 people in Dorset waiting for an organ transplant this Christmas and quite simply there is a shortage of organs available for them, so this campaign to encourage more people to sign the organ donor register is vital.”

Lucy Dames, pictured, an NHS blood and transplant specialist nurse who covers Bournemouth Hospital and will be working on Christmas Day, said she considers her job a ‘privilege’.

She added: “I think the general public do not understand how awful it is for patients on the waiting list – constantly at threat of dying and not being able to live a fulfilling life.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit organdonation.nhs.uk, call 0300 123 23 23 or text SAVE to 62323.

Once signed up tell those closest to you that you want to donate.