The Gift of Life, Holly Shaw — Battlefront. You're Already Involved

ABOUT

The Gift of Life

Holly Shaw

Did you know that 1000 people die every year because of the shortage of organ donors in the UK?

My campaign

My campaign will raise awareness of organ donation and encourage more people to think, talk and do something about it. By educating people, and clearing up common misconceptions about Organ Donation, I hope to get more people to sign up to the Organ Donor Register and potentially save and transform the lives of others like myself.

In 2005 I went on the kidney transplant waiting list after a sudden illness caused kidney failure. I was kept alive by a dialysis machine which I was attached to 3 times each week, and was put on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. For many others on the waiting list dialysis isn’t an option – for them an organ transplant is a matter of life and death. Waiting was tough! However I have been lucky and recently received my gift of life, but for others this is not always the case as there is still a major shortage of Organ Donors in the UK.

I am determined to keep campaigning and fighting for the people still waiting on the transplant list.

My Campaign highlights

- Getting words of support from Gordon Brown on the number 10 website, here: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page18965
- My campaign being the second most retweeted tweet in the world on April 7th!
- Putting on my Donor Day and getting thousands of sign-ups to the NHS Organ Donor Register
- Working with Oli Barrett and Amy MacClaren – my inspirational mentors!
- Appearing on GMTV

How can you help?

- Get in touch if you are affected by Organ Donation and Transplantation and want to join the campaign
- Sign up to the organ donor register by clicking on the image below
- Watch the video I've made that shows the big difference organ donation can make in someone's life by clicking here
- JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUP

SHOW YOUR SUPORT

YOUR COMMENTS

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hey sweetie, just watched your Christmas videos which are fantastic. So glad you had a wonderful time...bring on 2009 and the year that Holly takes over the world! Much love xx

Emily, 30 December 2008 09:28

Thanks for your support Em, Have updated you on Facebook! Much Love x

Holly Shaw, 10 December 2008 21:54

Well done for writing to Gordon Brown, I really hope he sends you a quote of support. I'm desperate to see Abby's drawings of the logo but can't find the link to the photos anymore. Am I being thick?! Sending you a huge hug and more congratulations on all you are doing. Any idea when the Big Issue article will come out? xxxx

Emma Harris, 10 December 2008 19:57

Thanks Helen Michelle, I totally agree and one of my aims for the Gift of Life campaign is to take it into schools, to raise awareness of organ donation amongst children in schools. Best wishes, Holly x

Holly Shaw, 10 December 2008 11:39

I really think our schools should allow formal presentations on organ donation from either a hospital worker or a patient form a transplant. So many people from our age group are still unaware of how easy it is to get a card and would be happy to have one, however lets face it, teeangers of this time just don't purposefully use their time to seek out how they can donate their organs. So if after an informative presentation, cards were left to be filled out then I'm sure the amount of awareness at least would increase. I cannot understand why schools are not useing these presentations, as at the end of the day, it is still the inderviduals decition wether they do it or not, but it shouldnt be restricted to the internet or hospital's to find out about it. Thanks for your time, hope you recover soon, Helen Michelle.x

Helen Michelle, 10 December 2008 10:55

Thanks Kevin and Megan... I appreciate your supportive comments! Keep spreading the word.. and together we can make a difference and save lives x

Holly Shaw, 09 December 2008 22:52

Im 100% for this campaign im a donor and i cant believe more people arent i hate it when people say "its creeps me out i dont want my body all cut up" who cares your dead you dont need it and theres someone one there that desperately does could you really look someone whos dying without a heart in the face and say "sorry it creeps me out" if everyone was a donor so many peoples lives could be saved! im so happy youve finally got a kidney and i wish you all the best! good luck with your compaign xxxxxxx

Megan, 09 December 2008 16:33

While many of these other campains seem like propaganda wagons, talking shops and overzealous idealism. You encourage the ultimate sacrifice for the ultimate good. I wish you all the best.

Kevin Breslin, 08 December 2008 22:07

Steven and Ed, Thanks for showing your support and best wishes to you both! x

Holly Shaw, 06 December 2008 22:34

I have 10% kidney function & recently had my left kidney removed because of PCKD (I am on transplant waiting list but not on dialysis yet). My Dad is being worked up as a live donor. Its something he wants to do for me & i'm very thankful however he is 68 and it's a big operation. If there were more people carrying donor cards he would not have to take the risk of having the operation. Good luck with the campaign. Ed

Ed Heath-Whyte, 06 December 2008 21:23

I am a dialysis patient in my sixth year waiting on the transplant list in the US. I am waiting for an O+ kidney transplant.

Steven Hirschauer, 06 December 2008 01:00

Hi Carrie and Emma, Thanks so much for your support it is much appreciated! Love ya lots, Holly

Holly Shaw, 03 December 2008 13:56

Congratulations Holly and all your helpers! You are doing something amazing and its a real credit to you that you are working on this campaign after recently undergoing major transplant surgery. WE LOVE YOU HOLLY!!! xxxxx

Emma Harris, 03 December 2008 12:32

Congrats on the campaign Hol, im so proud of you and all of us at uni miss you loads and cannot wait to see you. Love you, Carrie xxx

Carrie, 02 December 2008 16:44

I hope this campaign goes well. Personally, I think it should be more of an 'opt out' than 'opt in' for organ donation. I know a lot of people that are willing to, but havn't got around to signing up. One idea might be to get companies that post out regurally, to include an organ donation form or something? Ps. Congratulations on transplant.

Andy Jones, 02 December 2008 12:27

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