Give someone the gift of life

8:54am Thursday 8th May 2008

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LUCY Wrigley's desire to become a mother has cost her her health.

Her kidney disease started with a pregnancy. She had an early miscarriage, her immune system was affected and her body began to attack itself, leaving her kidneys damaged.

She had two more miscarriages but then - against the odds and after a very risky pregnancy - her son, Hugh, was born two years ago.

But her pregnancy caused her kidneys to deteriorate and two months ago she had to begin her dialysis treatment. She now depends for life on peritoneal dialysis, which she does at home every night for eight hours.

Lucy, aged 32, of Osborne Road, Altrincham, is backing a campaign to encourage more people to become organ donors.

She said: "I am lucky in lots of ways and I tell myself that every day. I have my lovely boy, Hugh, who makes life worth living and my gorgeous supportive husband, Jonny.

"But a transplant would give me a normal life - and hopefully another baby which would mean so much to us."

She added: "We need to educate people on the importance of organ donation as it could easily be someone you know who is affected."

Sale resident John Williams, aged 63, was struck down with a lung disease last year and doctors say he will only live for another 12 months without a transplant.

He is one of 75 patients waiting for a heart or lung transplant at Wythenshawe and It is feared that a third of them will die before a suitable donor is found. John has been on the list for 12 months.

Just over a year ago John was a fit man who swam a mile a day - now he is permanently linked to an oxygen cylinder and can only walk about half a mile at what he describes as 'a snail's pace.' John, of Birkdale Place, backed up the plea: "You can give someone the gift of life - it is the greatest gift that anyone can give.

"When you die and go to heaven, don't take your spare parts with you."

His wife, Carole, aged 62, added: "A transplant would mean my husband would not be snatched away from me.We could look forward to more years together."

Nizar Yonan, head of transplant at Wythenshawe Hospital, said: "A donor has the potential to help as many as eight people by donating a heart, lungs, two kidneys, pancreas, liver and corneas. That is a wonderful gift to be able to pass on such quantity and quality of life."

Manchester Royal Infirmary, where Lucy would be operated on, carried out 165 kidney transplants last year. There are 491 people on its waiting list, including around 20 children.

Phil Dyer, clinical scientist in the transplantation laboratory at eh MRI, said: "Everyone should think about organ donation and make a decision, and tell their friends and relatives what their wishes are."

Nationally, 9,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant that could save or dramatically improve their life - but less than 3,000 transplants are carried out each year.

People can join the register and help save lives by calling the Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400 or by visiting the website at www.uktransplant.org.uk