1000th Pin Badge Awarded To Celebrate Living Organ Donation

[Karol]

1000th Pin Badge Awarded To Celebrate Living Organ Donation

18 Mar 2011   

Victoria Teece, from Nottingham, is to become the 1000th recipient of a silver pin badge, which is awarded to living organ donors in a national scheme managed by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

The 46 year-old from Bramcote received the pin badge after donating her kidney to her husband Paul. Mr Teece was placed on the transplant list for a second time after a kidney from a deceased donor 15 years ago failed. The 44 year-old was delighted when his wife decided to donate one of her own kidneys after it was found to be a match.

Mr Teece said: "Victoria was wonderful. She never hesitated. As soon as she knew that living donation was an option, she agreed immediately. It has made such a difference to our lives. This is the best I've felt in years."

He added; "My wife had six months of tests and is now back to normal. She's a runner and got back to running really soon after. I think that's an important message to get across. People think of donation as being from people who have died, but living donation really works - and has given us both our lives back."

Lisa Burnapp, Lead Nurse for Living Donation at NHSBT said; "The living donor pin awards scheme is a way of acknowledging the enormous contribution that living donors make to the lives of others. Thanks to the generosity of family, friends and members of the public, the number of living donor transplants continues to increase, year on year.

"This means that more patients, particularly those with kidney disease, can enjoy a life with their families and loved ones that is free from dialysis. The pin is an enduring 'thank you' to those who benefit others with this immeasurable gift of life."

The badges, which were originally launched in 2007 by Dr Magdi Shehata, then a renal transplant surgeon at Nottingham University Hospital, are given to all living organ donors as a token of thanks for their kindness.

Roger Freeston, who chairs the Organ Donation Committee at Nottingham University Hospital, said the 1000th donor pin was a remarkable achievement.

"At Nottingham University Hospitals, we understand the difference that organ donation makes to so many lives. That's why we're extremely proud of our long commitment to donation and transplantation," said Mr Freeston.

"Living donation avoids an element of uncertainty for patients who are waiting for a suitable match on the transplant list. With living donation you also have lots of knowledge about the organ that is being donated. Spousal donation is not as unusual as people think and has massive emotional benefits for couples, effectively giving both husband and wife their lives back."

The pin design is an anchor, which represents hope and the Ankh which is an ancient Egyptian symbol for life or the zest for life, and is sent out to donors in a small blue presentation box with a letter of thanks from Lynda Hamlyn, NHSBT's Chief Executive.

Source:
NHS Blood and Transplant
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219459.php