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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Jo, Absolutely and I'm very sorry for any offence as I now realise I was completely wrong with what I said and my offensive personal comments. I sincerely apologies to Holly and her family. Kate

Kate, 18 May 2009 16:09

Hello, Please can we not have personally abusive comments on this site? We want there to be debate and for you to speak your minds, but we believe you can do this without resorting to abuse. Your comments may be edited or even removed, according to Channel 4 guidelines and terms and conditions, if we feel they are not appropriate and unfair. Thanks, Jo, Producer

Jo, 18 May 2009 11:33

yesterday i watched your t.v. documentary while i was in the gym, you are a truly wonderful girl who i'm sure your parents are very proud of. You inspired me to join 'The register today',love to you and your family. Michele

Michele Race - Prady , 15 May 2009 22:16

Kate, a Cadaveric transplant when succesful allows the recipient to extend their life expectancy will extend to an average 17 years as opposed to the 5 years that would be expected on dialysis, to me that is a happy ending as an additional 12 years is given. That may not be the case for you, you clearly adopt a glass half empty attitude. Also those who remain on dialysis have a higher prevalence of diabetes and multisystem diseases. So the extension of the quality of life is another big benefit for transplant recipients. As far as I see it you are trying to tell Holly how to view her situation through your own negative perspective. Holly is clearly a brave young girl who can appreciate the chances she has been given, at least by promoting that she brings hope, your futile comments do nothing but make you come across as tedious and a pessimist.

Laura, 14 May 2009 20:38

Holly no matter what Kate/James/Music says the fact is we support you and her arguments are very weak. You know my brother was on dialysis for 18 years and just got his third transplant but in Kate’s eyes he is a freak of nature and not worthy of having a transplant. Laura had a Heart/lung transplant at 4 then a kidney and now needs another lung transplant is she a freak too Kate for wanting to live? The fact is Kate your life expectancy on dialysis is very short but post transplant at least you have a chance to live a full and normal life. Holly we both know that Pam had her transplant for over 30 years and Bill 36 and still going strong but they too are freaks of nature in Kateland. The fact is Kate is that statistics mean absolutely nothing to the individual and can be fudged to show whatever YOU want them to say. Just because the average life of a kidney is 8 years doesn’t mean that mine or Holly (x2) kidney will last any more or any less than 8 years but 8 years off dialysis and the terrible effects on your heart and body is better than nothing at all and is an insult to the memories of the people who died to give us that chance in life. You claim that dialysis gives the same life expectancy of a cadaveric kidney yet can produce neither evidence nor medical papers that back up your claim. Why is a renal transplant less worthy than a heart, liver or lung transplant? By your reasoning no transplant patient has the right to life and should be just shoveled off into a dark black room to die without bothering the likes of you. I am more than aware there are different forms of dialysis, I guess you googled dialysis and actually did some research to drop that bombshell on us all. Who would have thought that all the time I was on PD/APD and my brother on Heamo that we were actually both doing ‘dialysis’ what a shock! I’m not sure how I am going to be able to get over that for some time. You clearly don’t know much as yes I give you not every patient is on a fluid restriction but the majority are. You didn’t mention about the diet restriction but I guess you couldn’t be bothered to read down the page far enough to see that. What about the weekly epo injections that your body will eventually become immune to as the epo is not human but genetically modified hamster epo. Our immune systems eventually produce antibodies to that epo so we are left with few options but blood transfusions that will also increase the antibodies in our blood. Post transplant our kidneys produce our own real human epo and for once we are not anemic and are able to walk down the street without having to catch our breath every few steps. Holly is more than aware of her mistakes and from that she has learned where she went wrong and how to improve her campaign. It’s just a shame you cannot learn from your mistakes, educate yourself and actually do something to help people.

Mike, 14 May 2009 15:46

Well done Holly and all your helpers was so emotional watched your programme today...Your such an inspiration to so many to try and help 'others' like yourself. Also brought back many personal memories of when Rach was fortunate enough to also recieve her'gift of life' too and are eternally so grateful....'Take it easy'... best wishes Eliane Rach & family xx

Elaine, 14 May 2009 15:26

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! The programme may be over... but the campaign doesn't stop, I am already plotting my next steps... So feel free to get involved, share your thoughts and ideas! I would love to hear them! www.thegiftoflife.org.uk Thanks again! x

Holly Shaw, 14 May 2009 14:22

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

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