MORE than 60 Football League clubs are kicking off a life-saving campaign at their final home game of the season by urging supporters to join the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

The appeal, also backed by The Football League itself, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the UK's first heart transplant which took place on 3 May, 1968.

The Football League, celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, has contacted all 72 Championship, League 1 and League 2 clubs inviting them to highlight the importance of the ODR to supporters at their final home game of the season.

To date, 62 clubs have indicated their support for the campaign. Matchday activity may include an advertisement in the programme, the organ donation logo on the programme front cover, big-screen promotion at the game, announcements over the public address system, posters, website promotion and links to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

The organ donation message will also be feature on the giant Wembley screens at the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals at the end of May.

Supporters will be able to join the ODR during games by texting the word 'GIVE' to 84118 from their mobile phone (standard text rates apply). The aim is to boost the number of people signing up to the ODR, a confidential database of over 15.2 million people who have pledged to help give the gift of life to others after their own death.

Over 9,000 people currently need a transplant to save or dramatically improve their lives. More than 3,000 transplants were carried out last year, but around 1,000 people die every year before receiving the transplant they need. If more people joined the ODR, more lives could be saved.

Lord Mawhinney, Chairman of The Football League, said: "I believe that our game can play a significant part in delivering new registrations to the NHS Organ Donor Register. Through The Football League club network, we have the power to reach out together to supporters across the country with a powerful and compelling case for their support.

"I am pleased to support this worthwhile initiative and invite all our member clubs to help to make a positive difference to the lives of literally thousands of people across the UK. Football has a unique part to play in making this happen."

Tamsin May, UK Transplant's Marketing and Campaigns Manager, said: "We welcome The Football League's support in helping to spread the message that transplants save thousands of lives every year thanks to the generosity of individual organ donors and their families.

"For clubs involved in promotion or relegation battles, I know it will be a tense time for supporters - but hope they will still be able to think about the literally life-and-death issue of organ donation."

As well as texting, fans can also join the ODR by visiting www.uktransplant.org.uk or phoning the 24-hour Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400.