A Government campaign to double the number of organ donor card holders from the present eight million to 16 million by 2010 has been picked up by members of a number of Pembrokeshire charities who are aiming to increase local awareness.

Their aim is to redress recent bad press publicity by publicising the good news, the positive stories of people, young and old, whose lives have been transformed by the Gift of Life which is represented by organ donation.

These are stories, too, which could not be told without he dedicated work of the medical profession whose level of ability in carrying out these highly skilled procedures could not have been obtained without access to the wide range of organs which are vital to their training.

Many families who have lost loved ones have been comforted by the knowledge that through their loss they have made the Gift of Life to others. In some cases, as many as 11 people have lived or had their quality of life improved through just one donor.

National Transplant Week runs from July 15-22, and in an ongoing campaign the charities are asking local businesses to issue registration forms and donor cards to their staff.

The forms will be available locally at a large number of outlets, including supermarkets, local libraries, county council offices and Withybush Hospital. To ensure that it is known that in the event of your demise you wish to make this 'Gift of Life' to others, please fill in your donor card right away - and if you already carry a card, please check that you are registered at your current address.

Further enquiries may be made via your local branches of Cystic Fibrosis Trust, British Heart Foundation, British Bone Marrow Association, Kidney Research, Leukaemia Research, British Diabetic Association, Anthony Nolan Trust or from Donor Lifeline (tel: 02920383731) or Bone Marrow Register (0800 871502).