A WOMAN who struggles to speak and laugh because of the effects of cystic fibrosis is backing a campaign for people to join the UK organ donor register.

Jennifer Grannell, 25, from Hockley, is waiting for a lung transplant and hopes to survive until one can be found.

Her brother, Richard, died of cystic fibrosis in 2005 aged just 23 before a suitable donor could be found.

Jennifer, who has a lung function of just 20 per cent, depends on oxygen 24 hours a day and uses a ventilator to keep her lungs working while she sleeps.

She wants to encourage people to sign up to the UK donor organs register during UK Transplant Awareness Week running until July 11.

Jennifer aims to spend her time waiting for transplant, raising awareness of organ donation so other families do not have to experience the great loss her family has had to bear.

She said: “What I am most looking forward to is simple things, like being able to walk from room to room, free from oxygen tubes without struggling, or to dry my own hair without help.

“Waking up in the morning without struggling to breathe is my ultimate wish.”

The gap between organ supply and demand is growing. There are not enough organs available and 1,000 people are expected to die this year alone.

Jennifer is speaking on behalf of the 10,000 others in need like her to urge all of us to think about organ donation, talk about organ donation and sign the organ donor register.

Emily Thackray, chairman of the transplant charity Live Life Then Give Life, said: “Three people like Jennifer die waiting for a transplant every single day.

“Even though most of us support the concept of organ donation, only 28 per cent of us have actually signed the register.

“Its something a lot of us don’t really think about, even though any one of us could need a transplant at some point.

“I hope people who have been moved by Jennifers story take action and sign up today.”

You can sign the organ donor register online at www.uktransplant.org.uk or by phoning 0300 1232323. To find out more about organ donation and how you can support Live Life Then Give Life visit www.lltgl.org.uk