FORMER transplant patients have backed Gordon Brown’s drive to encourage more people to become organ donors.

The Prime Minister wants more people to sign up to the Donor Card scheme.

He has also encouraged more debate on making people opt out of donating, rather than opting in, as is the case at the moment.

Liz Blay, 63, of Larkfield Close, Rochford, had a liver transplant in May 2006 and welcomes any move to encourage organ donors.

She said: “We have to use the card system until an opt-out comes in. In the meantime, the cards are really important.”

Kathy Skinner, of Ash Road, Hadleigh, had a kidney transplant in June 2007 after waiting eight years.

She believes donor cards are not advertised enough and called for an opt-out system.

The 69-year-old said: “The donor card system only really works for people who know about it and want to become a donor. A lot of people don’t even know where to get a donor card.

“If the organs from everyone who died were ready to be used it would really help a lot of people. If the organs from everyone who died were ready to be used it would really help a lot of people.”

Claire Ward, of John William Close, Chafford Hundred, said her double lung transplant four years ago completely changed her life.

The 24-year-old said: “I think the main thing we need though is more discussion about it because it can be so hard for people to talk about when they have just lost a loved one.

“Personally, I believe a system where people have to opt out is right.”

People wanting to sign up for a donor card can log on to www.uktransplant.org.uk