ALMOST 3,000 people have joined the organ donor register after an M.E.N campaign.
We told the story of brave Rachael Wakefield, pictured, who suffers from a rare lung condition. Her life is on hold until she gets a life-saving organ swap.
Rachael, 21, is one of more than 400 people waiting for a transplant in Greater Manchester. But the clock is ticking – health officials say many patients will die before an organ becomes available.
Less than a quarter of the region’s population is on the organ donor register – well below the national average. Readers were so moved by Rachael’s story that 3,000 signed up, bringing the Greater Manchester total to 633,688.
Rachael, from Dukinfield, is still waiting for the call that could change her life but is thrilled by the response to her plea.
She said: “I thought if just one person responded to my story and signed the donor register that could save so many others.
“It is overwhelming to think almost 3,000 people have signed the register in the last month and I’m really pleased by their response – it shows people really care. I’m still waiting for my call but with more people signing up every day I hope it will be soon.”
The former Droylsden Girls School pupil became ill at 14 and suffered repeated lung infections and breathlessness.
Her condition deteriorated to the extent that doctors decided there was no point in putting her on the organ donor list. She was admitted to the Willow Wood hospice in Ashton under Lyne last December where she was expected to die.
But Rachael refused to give up and has astounded medical experts with her will to live despite her lungs only operating at 15 per cent capacity.
She said: “When I was at the hospice they said I was too unwell and to enjoy last Christmas. But I just thought, that’s not good enough, I’m not having that. I’m getting on that list.”
Last month it was finally decided Rachael, who is connected to an oxygen machine 24 hours a day, should have her wish and she was added to the list. Mum Lynette, 43, and dad Philip Motterhead, 39, are also waiting anxiously for the call. Retail boss Philip said: “Obviously our main concern is Rachael but there are others. She’ll get through, I know she will.”
Pam Prescott, of UK Transplant, said: “Every day three people die while waiting for an organ transplant and research has shown that while most of us support organ donation and the overwhelming majority would take an organ if we needed it, there’s still some way to go in getting people to sign up.”
Currently 346 people from Greater Manchester are waiting for a kidney, 13 for a kidney or pancreas, four for a heart, 20 for lungs and 23 for a liver.
To register call 0300 1232323 or go to organdonation.nhs.uk.
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I Dont know what the ethical dilema's would be, and no doubt some people with have a different opionion but I believe that any healthy organs should be avaiable whether your on the register or not. I think it should be law that surgeons can take any "healthy" organ to assist in helping someone else and potentially saving their lives.
I agree, I think there would be a lot off people that would disagree though, so maybe instead of signing up to allow your organs to be used (which some people "dont get round to") you should have to only sign up to NOT allow. This way, there would be more people there to donate organs as they havent needed to do anything to become avaliable
I'm signed up, have been for years. You can do it online and it only takes a few minutes. If you'd be happy for a loved one to use an organ left by someone, then you should be happy to sign up to leave yours for others, you don't need them when you are no longer living.
I would just like to say what a wonderful job Rachael is doing raising the subject of organ donation, I, Like Rachael, am also on the transplant list for new lungs. I also agree with Nothern bird that it should be an opt out systen rather than an opt in system. I am sure that anyone who found themselves needing an organ would happily accept one so they should also be willing to give organs as well. I have been on the organ donor resgister for a long time and when i die I still hope that someone can use my organs that are alright
deejayvu, everywhere & Northern Bird, I couldn't agree more.
I think that in France that they have a system where you have to opt out of the donor scheme.
However, I now live in Ireland and my medical records show that I'm from the UK and lived there during the 80's & 90's and I can't register to donate my organs or even give blood because anyone who lived in the UK during that time would've been exposed to BSE and could potentially be carrying CJD. They can't screen you for it.
I wouldn't mind, they're screaming out for donors here!
I registered weeks ago, and didn't even get the courtesy of a reply. so much for that, then
I had been signed up to the donor scheme many years ago, But earlier this year it was revealed that donated organs were being "sold " to wealthy foriegners. I then ceased to be a donor. What a country.
I would never donate organs or blood unless it could be guaranteed that they would only go to NHS patients. I woiuldn't want them to be sold to private medicine where somebody queue jumps because they've got the money. That would be anathema to me. But the NHS won't allow pre-conditions like these so they'll never get any part of me.
I have a theory that there me be something after death but you have to be whole otherwise you will be minus your parts if you give them away.
The master will replace parts if it is through no fault of your own that you lost them, but if you give them a way then maybe there is nothing that can be done. Who knows?.
Personally I don't want anybody's parts when I become ill I am happy to just go to the next stage.
Esso Blue, , Blues Town
That maybe so, everyone has their own views, organ donation isn't for everyone and that's fair enough, it is a personal choice. As is agreeing to a lung transplant. I am however 21 and would like a chance at life that being ill for almost 9yrs has robbed me of, at 21 I did not expect to be under hospice care with a life expectancy of less than 12mths.
Dear Rachael
I wish you well and I hope you get a donor.I don't like to see people suffer like yourself and if people wish to share their organs then if it helps people then its great.
I go on with myself sometimes.
All the best.
I am registered, to think I maybe able to give the gift of life after I drop off the ''mortal coil' is indeed a great thing!
However, I also think that if you dont register, then you dont recieve an donor organ...............
Princess Pam in Crumpsall, you are even turning this issue into a class war! I believe when you are waiting for an organ, its not on a first come first served basis or indeed how much money you have. Its down to tissue type, blood type etc, etc, etc. If an organ that matches your profile becomes available, you get it regadless of status!