Bulgaria's 16 organ donors last year led to only 34 transplants out of a possible 128, MP Alexander Simidchiev of Democratic Bulgaria told parliament in a statement.

He proposed a register of consent to organ donation. Simidchiev said it could be set up within a week of a decision to do so. He said the register would show how well the yearly awareness campaigns work.

He spoke on the eve of European Organ Donation Day. The day has been marked since 1996, usually on the second Saturday of October, and falls tomorrow this year. Its theme is "Sharing lives".

One donor can save up to eight lives, Simidchiev said. In practice, two organs per donor were transplanted. Last year 16 families in Bulgaria got a second chance at life.

From the rostrum, the MP played a recording with the heartfelt voice of Georgi Peev, an athlete and medallist at the European transplant games. Peev agreed to be recorded and for the recording to be shared. Simidchiev knows several transplant recipients. He said what unites them is the knowledge that their chance is the only one, given to them a second time, and to Peev a third time.

The MP also suggested that anyone can tell their family their wishes with a text message. He said it is a small and barely noticeable act, but a meaningful one.

For every donor transplant, one rose is planted in the donors' garden behind the National Palace of Culture (NDK). Last year there were 14 roses. Simidchiev said 900 roses, one for each person on the waiting list, are quite achievable if indifference to the issue falls by just 30%. He said this shows what policy can achieve even in a single area.

Simidchiev said MPs can help share many more lives. "Together in this hall we have much more power, and so much more responsibility," he said.