HUNDREDS of people have been touched by the moving pictures of Jade Stoner's final moments with her family.

Now we are asking as many people as possible to sign up to the organ donation register to help give the 9,000 people awaiting a transplant, the chance for life.

With this week marking the 40th anniversary of the world's first heart transplant, we are encouraging our readers to take a moment and consider the life-saving choice before a tragic turn of events forces the decision upon them.

In choosing to donate their seven-year-old daughter's organs, the family has helped to save four lives, including those of two babies who received Jade's heart and liver.

When Debbie Stoner released the personal image to raise the campaign's profile, she never expected the staggering response she received.

She said: "We're shocked and overwhelmed with the reaction we are getting but at the same time absolutely chuffed with all the support that has flooded in. Now we've got the ball rolling, we will take it as far as we can.

"The idea of the picture was never to employ shock tactics, we just wanted to bring people's attention to the campaign.

"The message I would send to everyone is to just do it now. Don't put it off. Life throws things at us when we least expect it.

"Even if you just discuss it with your family and loved ones, don't leave it until you are forced to confront it."

Debbie told us her family will never regret the decision they made because Jade's memory continues to live on.

"Of course we will never forget our little girl but it does bring a certain comfort that she has gone to live on in other people. We're so proud of her, it's what she would have wanted."

Although the South Coast has the highest percentage of people in the UK on the organ donation register, this still amounts to only 29 per cent of the local population.

And with fifty-six people in the BH postcode area waiting for a kidney transplant as well as three people currently on the list for a heart transplant, unless more people start signing up, the problem is only going to get worse, according to UK Transplant.

With more of the population living longer plus rapid advances in medicine, the group says it is becoming even more important for families and friends to discuss their wishes sign the register and inform their next-of-kin.

Studies show people are more likely to need a transplant in their lifetime than ever becoming a donor, increasing the need for even more registered lifesavers'.

To help support our campaign and give hope to more than 9,000 people waiting for a transplant, fill in the form or telephone 0845 60 60 400 go online to uktransplant.org.uk

  • FOLLOWING an overwhelming response to a photo capturing the last moments of their young daughter's life, the Stoner family has thanked well-wishers for their support.

"We are so grateful for the positive reaction we have had from last week", said Debbie.

"It's been absolutely fantastic. People have been posting messages of support on Jade's website and I've done a couple of radio interviews as well.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind to be honest."

"Everyone has been so kind and we have had nearly £2,000 donated to the memorial fund since we released the picture.

"It has all been really positive and encouraging, which has been amazing."

The Jade Stoner memorial fund was set up by Debbie and her family to help other parents cope with the tragic death of a child following their own painful loss last year.

Debbie said: "Now we've really got the ball rolling, it would be great if we could continue to raise awareness about organ donation. I would also like to thank the Daily Echo for their support in raising the profile of this campaign.

Hopefully we have brought some more attention to the issue and raised people's awareness of the acute need for more organ donors."