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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Holly, just watched your programme on Channel 4 and I think you are fantastic. I think I had already registered but I've registered again - just in case. You are an inspiration to us all. :-))

Julie, 14 May 2009 12:58

Hi great to see the the programme on the tele and the response it has got on here. It is very big of Kate to say that she has got it wrong, I'm sure there will be more who have their minds changed but are not strong enough to admit it. It will be interesting to see how many people sign up today. Enjoy reaping the rewards for all the hard work you have put into this campaign.

Claire McCartney, 14 May 2009 12:48

well done! watched your program this mornin :] been sayin for ages that i wanted to sign up to the doner register, and finally did it today! Best of luck :] xx

Lauren, 14 May 2009 12:46

hi holly, i think your campaign is brilliant and well done for all the hard effort and work you've put in to raise awareness about organ donation especially only after 6 months of having your own kidney transplant. I myself was lucky 8yrs ago to have my 2nd kidney transplant. I'm sure you won't take notice of the negative comments by people who don't have a clue of life before and after kidney transplantation. Can i also emphasise to people that kidney donor's can be given by live donators not only when they've passed away. Holly does not need to explain herself towards the negative comments about weight, she is deffinetly not obese. I was anorexic and could not taste food for over 10 yrs of being on dialysis, due to my illness, and the first night of waking up after having my transplant i was hungary which was the best feeling ever. There is so much hard work to put in even after having a transplant, with having to take so many anti-rejection medication. Please think before you write negetive comments, educate yourselves instead in the matter if you have to understand and i'm sure you guys know how to use google for that. Holly, i wish you all the best with you campaign and with your new transplant. lots of love xxx

sam, 14 May 2009 12:44

Wow!! Well done holly, just watched your programme on channel 4, what a great job you are doing!! Have just signed up to the donor register myself, Keep up the good work!! x

Joe, 14 May 2009 12:24

I have left a comment on the lasted post of Holly's blog. There is an explanation about some of my objections. The comment policy of battlefront is temperamental, at best.

Kate, 14 May 2009 12:22

I have just watched your programme on channel 4 I've been watching battlefront all this week and i think that all of the people involved are amazing but what you have been through and at such a young age is just unbelivable! You are so brave congratulations on all you have achived I have always been an organ doner i think it is brilliant that you are bringing these issues to the front of peoples minds! WELL DONE!!! xxx

Amy Kissane, 14 May 2009 12:20

Hey there- just watched the programme on Channel 4 when I should have been revising for my Alevels! Best procrastination I've ever done though and I've just signed up-- now going to procrastinate futher and spread the word :P

Cathy, 14 May 2009 12:16

I've signed up Holly!! Been meaning to do it for years!!!You are such an inspiration and a fantastic brave role model, I feel completely humbled by how passionate you are about this campaign and what a good job your doing!! I hope you and every one involved have been gathered together today to watch your programme and are keeping an eye out to see the sign ups rocket!! Keep up the good work superstar and enjoy your cuppa with the PM!!! xXx

Jemma , 14 May 2009 12:15

Hi Holly, I just watched your programme and signed up afterwards. I think that what you're doing is really impressive. Most people just think about doing this kind of thing, but you're actually doing it. As for the small amount of negativity you have received, ignore it! It is beyond me how anyone can put a negative spin on such a positive thing! Well done!

Katrina , 14 May 2009 12:12

hiya holly, just wanted to say well done on the program and hope it gets more people to sign up. x

laura, 14 May 2009 12:10

Just watched you on channel 4 and signed up :) good luck you're amazing :)

Victoria, 14 May 2009 12:10

hiya holly, just wanted to say well done on the program and hope it gets more people to sign up. x

laura, 14 May 2009 12:09

good god kate does your life revolve around checking this website and thinking up mean things to say?

charlotte, 14 May 2009 12:08

That comment was not made by me. I am not wrong about anything I have stated. Nobody has refuted what I have said - just mentioned that I was "out of order" and "they know somebody who's had a transplant thats lasted..." and lies about "how I'd let a family member go on dialysis for 30 years" (I doubt they would - average life expectancy on dialysis is 7 years). However, I commend Holly for now being more honest about the reality of a transplant on her blog and her battlefront program. The cavalier attitude that is displayed to renal patients ("Oh it is ok. Just get a transplant and all will be fine") isn't helped by a "disneyfied" view of "happy endings", which has been more accurately stated as being "a new phase of your life". However - I don't think it is wise to talk about eating chocolate, cheese etc. If you care about your transplant, you would look after yourself better. Holly Cocker, who had the exact same restrictions as you has not allowed herself to become this obese. Sadly, there is a correlation between graft life and obesity. Since you already have a cadaveric transplant against you, I would suggest you lose the weight and start an exercise programme. Your actions (how you treat your body and the state you've allowed it to get in) speak louder than words (I appreciate my gift of life). I am not the first to comment on this.

Kate, 14 May 2009 12:08

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