i salute how brave you are! i have been an organ donor since i was 13 and feel strongly about this subject! well done on the great work so f...
rosie, 18 May 2009 23:05
Hi Sophie, that is great to hear you would like to sign the Organ Donor Register... you can do so by clicking on the "Join the organ donor r...
Holly Shaw, 15 May 2009 12:11
Holly Shaw
Did you know that 1000 people die every year because of the shortage of organ donors in the UK?
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.
- 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
- 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
thegiftoflife via Twitter:
"Just back from the Manc Run, cheering on Team Ethan, Off to the fundraiser auction later! :) x" Twitter17 May 2009
thegiftoflife via Twitter:
"I'm on the BBC website: http://tinyurl.com/qzmhef" Twitter16 May 2009
thegiftoflife via Twitter:
"Has been for another jog... I've caught the bug!" Twitter15 May 2009
The Manchester Evening News and Radio Manchester!, bebo-posts
"Yesterday I was in the Warrington Guardian, it was a small article so it is not available online! Today I am in the Manchester Evening News which can be viewed here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.... It is great that they have focusse..." Bebo15 May 2009
It's all over.... but this is just the beginning!, bebo-posts
"Gosh, what can I say! Thank you so much for all your supportive comments it means a lot! I am really pleased with the final edit, although my one liner "I am more of a kidney person!" is not my proudest moment! Ha Ha! Also when I said about..." Bebo14 May 2009
You can show which issues you think are most important by promoting this campaign on your blog, Myspace, Facebook or Bebo.
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From the lack of response from 'music' perhaps it's best to assume he or she is a person going through a very personally difficult time and is very angry at losing her son, I know I would find it incredibly difficult making the decision 'music' made and he/she found the strength to make that decision and save the life of someone in need. The work Holly has been doing has encouraged more and more people to make that same brave decision. Holly has said on many occassions she felt split emotions when she got the call, excitement for herself but grief for the donors family. It is her gratitude for this gift that has drove her to put everything aside, including work for her longed for degree and spending more time with her new neice. As a parent myself I am grateful for people like Holly as one of my loved ones may one day need a transplant, as 'music's might. 'Music' obviously doesn't feel strong enough to apolgise at this point, hopefully one day she/he will.
Natalie Neill, 14 April 2009 20:48
First and foremost Music, im very sorry about your loss, but i do believe you must be so proud of your son for donating and whoever recieved organs from him will be eternally grateful. I have known Holly for three years now and would like to make a comment about what you said. In the nicest possible way i can. Holly is a very passionate person who has recently raised a lot of awareness for organ donation. Holly is in no way overweight like you implied. Holly has always been a beautiful and caring woman. Like others have mentioned about steroids, i highly suggest that you read up on this, only for your own understanding and to be sure that comments aren't made like this again to anyone who has had an organ transplant, as ignorance to a subject can be very hurtful to people. Also may i add no surgeon would have operated on her like you say they wouldnt if they thought she was over weight. As they are professionals, clued up and also want the transplants to be a success. I believe in decent manners and one who has non should not voice their opinion.
Carrie, 14 April 2009 19:19
Music, you obviously have a lot of pent up rage attacking people that are working very hard to save a lot of lives. Perhaps you should use all this energy on something positive instead of purposely being mean and upsetting people. You should also do your research before throwing insults around. (see Vix's comment). Thanks.
golightly, 14 April 2009 18:45
In response to music, I am so sorry you lost your son and what you did by donating is organs is a wonderful thing. My own son received a small bowel transplant in November of last year and I think of our wonderful donr family and the new life they have given William, and all of us, every single day. I met Holly last week and she is an inspiration. She is literally saving lives like William's and the many, many children who are dying on transplant waiting lists every year. I have no doubt whatsoever that her donor would have been very proud indeed to see what she is doing with her new life. As Vix8 says, the steroids needed after transplant result in a puffy face. My son has gone from a skinny little fragile thing whose ribs could be counted to a very plump looking child indeed and it is all down to the steroids. He will loose that as the dose decreases, as will Holly who, incidently, does not look remotely overweight. She just has the steroid induced moon face that represents someone very brave who has been through a lot medically herself yet still strives to save the lives of others. Having nearly lost my son, I do understand I think a little of how you must feel but please find another outlet to your grief and hurt than lashing out at someone like Holly. You are in my thoughts.
Sarah Milne, 14 April 2009 18:38
As Vix quite rightly said, the extremely high dose of Steroids Holly was put on for an elongated period of time after the transplant has caused anything which you may have incorrectly identified as obesity. I cannot understand why you would seek out someone to make a publicly inaccurate assumption and by doing so insult her transplant team as well who surely would have identified if Holly had a weight problem and mentioned it to her? If I was Holly, I'd rely on my team to identify any issues such as weight if they ever crop up, they are, after all, competent medical professionals. It seems that unless you are her doctor and are stating that she is "morbidly obese" as a fact then you have merely hurtled a very personal and uncalled for insult.
Emily, 14 April 2009 18:35
In response to Music, I am really sorry that you lost your son and I hope it gives you comfort in knowing that his life wasn't in vain and he has gone on to help people have second chance at life. I received my transplant in Oct 2008 and I am and always will be eternally grateful to the Donor and their family. If I was so morbidly obese the operation wouldn't have taken place... the reason I have put on weight post-transplant is because of the steroids I am on to ensure my body doesn't reject my new kidney. I will continue raising awareness about Organ Donation and the importance of people signing the register, it is something I feel passionate about and I am going to make the most of my Gift of Life and hope to make my Donor Family proud in doing something to help those people still on the transplant waiting list.
Holly Shaw, 14 April 2009 18:31
In response to the comments made by music. Firstly my condolences for you sad loss Your sons donation is the ultimate gift and i'm sure you're extremely proud of him for it. With regards to Holly being overweight, I think you'll find that she actually isn't overweight but on steroids, an imunosupressant needed to stop organs being rejected. (I don't know Holly but nearly everyone who's had a transplant is on steroids). If you look up the side effects of steroids like prednisolone, they cause a cushinoid/moon shaped face, can distend the stomach and make your body retain a lot of fluid (i've been on steroids and had gained 13kg most of which is fluid on my legs, stomach, back, hands and face). They can cause an incrased appetite but again most of the weight gain is the bloatedness of water retention. My comments can be verified by any pharmacist or doctor if you need proof. I think your comments are a little harsh and misguided because you obviously don't know all of the facts, especially any specific to Holly and ignoranced isn't really much of a defence for nastiness. Enough said
vix8, 14 April 2009 18:28
Well said Vix8!
Sian, 14 April 2009 18:22
Being overweight increases your risks of losing the transplant due to blood clots and other risk factors. You claim on one hand to be grateful for the gift of life but you are throwing that gift back in the face of greiving relative of your donor by being morbidly obese. Lose the weight or you will lose the kidney and it is doubtful any transplant unit will accept you on the transplant list nor any surgeon take the risk of you dying on the table because of your weight. do yourself a favour and show you truely value the gift of life
music, 14 April 2009 17:20
thanks for deleting the comment! my son donated his organs when he died 6 months ago and I would be insulted if I found out one of his kidneys went to you. lose the weight you are shortening your life and dont deserve to have a transplant until you do
music, 14 April 2009 17:11
Do you think you really are a good example for transplant patients? You're putting your transplant at risk by being morbidly obese and it is an insult to the family of the person who donated the kidney to you. Don't insult them, go on a diet!!!!!
music, 14 April 2009 11:49
Forgot to say... I have been busy blogging so check it out for behind the scenes and pictures from Donor Day! http://lifeondialysis--waitingforthecall.blogspot.com/
Holly Shaw, 09 April 2009 21:29
Thanks for all your great comments! What a great (but stressful) day! Support from the PM - the icing on the cake! x
Holly Shaw, 09 April 2009 21:26
Holly in the news! http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Transplant_patients_record_bid_to_sign_organ_donors&in_article_id=612427&in_page_id=34&in_a_source= uni news http://www.chester.ac.uk/news/2009/apr/1.html
Jo, 09 April 2009 15:28
Link to Holly on GMTV: http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=34075
Jo, 09 April 2009 15:27
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