The Gazette wants all our readers to do something special this Christmas. Today we are launching a campaign to get as many people as possible to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. Go on, be a star this Christmas.

There is no greater gift than the gift of life.

This Christmas, we want to make it the top of everyone’s present list. The Gazette is launching a campaign asking readers to Be A Star this Christmas.

Organ transplants are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine. But they depend entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to make this life-saving gift to others.

Across the UK, 16 million special people have already made that amazing pledge of giving life to others by signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Even so, there is still a critical shortage of organs, and the gap between the number of organs donated and the number of people waiting for a transplant is increasing.

Just one donor can save the life of several people, restore the sight of two others and improve the quality of life of many more. Organs that can be donated after death include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small bowel. Tissue such as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can also be used.

"Support our campaign" - Gazette Editor Irene Kettle

The NHS Organ Donor Register is a confidential, computerised database holding the wishes of the 16 million people who want to donate their organs after their death to help others to live.

The need for people to join the register is even greater following last month’s Organ Donation Taskforce report which recommended that an “opt-out” system for organ donation should not be introduced in the UK.

Nearly 8,000 people are currently registered for a transplant - 1,000 of whom will die while waiting.

Over the years, the Gazette has reported on many amazing stories of how transplant operations have given the gift of life to people.

They are all remarkable stories in their own right and pay tribute to the donors, the donor families, the patients and the medical professionals.

Talking about your death with loved ones is never easy, but discussing with them your wish to donate your organs now, will make it easier for them later.

If a person’s name is on the register, 90 per cent of families consent to donation - next of kin always have the final say - compared with the general consent rate of 60 per cent.

In north Essex there are already 127,746 amazing people who have already made the decision of offering the gift of life when they die.

With the help of Gazette readers, there can be even more. Even if you already carry a donor card you need to join the register to ensure you wishes are recorded.

Peter Sas, of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We are delighted with the Gazette's campaign encouraging more local people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. There is a chronic shortage of donated organs in the UK. Over 8,000 people are currently waiting to have their lives transformed by a transplant, but many will wait in vain.

“We would ask Gazette readers to talk about organ donation, join the register and tell your next of kin of your wish to help someone else live in the event of your death.”

Last year, 3,237 people received the gift of life through organ donation and 2,489 had their sight restored through a cornea transplant.

This would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the donors and their families doing something very special indeed.

They are true stars.

Now, this Christmas you can be one too.

Be a star, join the NHS Organ Donor Register today.

The situation in north Essex

There are currently 46 people who need a transplant.

One person needs a lung.

Since April, 17 people have had a life-saving organ transplant - nine kidney, one kidney and pancreas, four lung(s) and three liver. A further nine people had their sight restored/improved via a cornea graft. In Essex as a whole 192 people currently need an organ transplant.

How to join the Organ Donor Register