Most readers will be staggered to learn that the rate for major organ donations at Bradford Teaching Hospitals averages little more than one per year.

While there are many factors that can influence such figures, it is hard not to see only seven such donations since 2005 as anything other than far too low.

Meanwhile more than 100 people in the city and district are waiting for a transplant and nationally more than 1,000 will die before they receive or become too ill for one. The need, then, is great.

Yet West Yorkshire also has one of the lowest sign-up rates to the NHS Organ Donor Register in the UK.

There is a particular shortage of people from black and south Asian communities on the register as only a tiny percentage of each population comes forward.

At the same time, patients from these groups are three times more likely to need a kidney transplant, which explains why finding a good match for any who do can be difficult.

This whole situation is one that district health chiefs are understandably keen to change by getting more people, of whatever background, to sign up.

While that must always be a matter for individuals, anyone who wants to join should do so as soon as possible.

If the worst should happen, there is no second chance, and taking steps today could mean the world to someone tomorrow.