More than 7,000 people are now alive in London thanks to organ donations, NHS Blood and Transplant announced on Tuesday (June 11).

The annual Transplant Activity Report revealed that transplants in the capital have saved 7,182 people and a milestone of 50,000 in the UK.

In Greater London, the number of residents registered to donate has increased by 27% in the last five years - currently 2,470,372 people in comparison to 1,952,116 in 2012.

Last year 692 people in London received life-changing transplants, in comparison to 586 five years ago.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, was thrilled at the increasing number of donors.

“More people than ever in London are committing to organ donation and that is saving more lives than ever," she said.

"It’s amazing to picture all the people now alive today thanks to organ donation and think of all the families and children who have grown up thanks to donors.

“We’re seeing more and more people committing to donation and the good results of our close work with hospitals.

"Our specialist nurses in organ donation are now almost always involved in discussions with families over organ donation."

Nationally, the number of people on the NHS Organ Donor Register reached a record number, 23.6 million, and today 36% of the UK's population is registered, compared to 30% five years ago.

Despite the record-breaking public commitment to donation, there is still a shortage of organ donors, with three people still dying each day in need of a transplant.

Around 6,400 people currently on the transplant waiting list, with a particular need for people to register from black and Asian backgrounds.

Ms Johnson spoke about NHS Blood and Transplant's appeal on Tuesday (June 11) for more people to sign up to the register.

"There's still a long way to go," she added.

"Around three people still die a day in need of a transplant. Every one of those people who died could be a mother or a father, a daughter or a son, who might be alive today.

“Families tell us donation is a source of pride that helps them in their grieving process. We don’t want anyone in London to miss the opportunity to save lives through organ donation.

"Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register. It only takes two minutes.”

Click here to view the full Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report for 2016/2017.

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