Ardrossan double transplant recipient backs campaign to increase organ donors

An Ardrossan woman whose life was saved by two liver transplants has today backed a campaign to increase the number of people on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Catherine Reid, 29, received her first transplant aged 18 and her second transplant at 21 after being diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis aged just two.

Statistics show there are currently 4,345 people in Scotland who are living with a transplant, thanks to organ donors and their families1.

Currently, 45 per cent of the population in Scotland is on the NHS Organ Donor Register – however someone dies every day in the UK while waiting on an organ transplant.

Catherine was first listed for transplant aged 17, after a massive bleed in her gullet caused the teenagers health to seriously decline. She then contracted a severe lung infection which threatened her life, but following recovery, a suitable liver was found and the transplant went ahead.

Catherine’s liver condition was so aggressive that it attacked her new liver, resulting in rejection. Six months after the transplant, the 18 year old was back where she’d started enduring lethargy, severe itching and jaundice.

Catherine was put on the transplant waiting list again in January 2009 and her health continued to deteriorate, leaving her barely able to walk and heavily jaundiced. Her second transplant went ahead in the November.

She said: “Growing up I always knew I’d need a transplant, but it wasn’t really spoken about. I suppose I didn’t want to face it, but I was so ill that eventually I just wanted my liver out of me and to feel better. I was badly jaundiced, had no energy and no quality of life.

“After my first transplant I remember waking up and my eyes were white, I had rosy cheeks and I was back on my feet really quickly. I told nurses that it felt like someone had gone in with a pot scourer and cleaned out my insides. It was amazing.

“Doctors described the liver I’d been given as ‘pristine’, but my body didn’t want it. I really struggled mentally, as I had gone from feeling better and having hope to being back at square one. Things were really difficult by the time I was listed for my second transplant, and my family was told that I didn’t have long if a suitable match wasn’t found. Thankfully I was given a second chance.

“Recovery was long, but now life is good. I have osteoporosis and am unable to work which I hate, but I know that I’m lucky to be here at all. I have my house, my partner Campbell and much to live for, something I’ll never take for granted.”

Speaking about the difference organ donation can make, Catherine said: “If my story makes one person consider joining the NHS Organ Donor Register then I’ve done my bit. Everybody deserves the chance of life that I’ve been given, and there are so many people out there living with liver failure. To me, life is on loan and if someone can pass on that gift when theirs comes to an end then that can only be a good thing.

“I owe my life to my donors and their families and think about them every day. With my second transplant, I felt guilt at first, but now their gift is now part of me. I regard that person as my guardian angel and will never stop being grateful.”

Minister for Public Health, Aileen Campbell said: “We must always be mindful that most organ and tissue donation can only occur as a result of tragic circumstances and I’d like to thank every donor and their family who has made the selfless decision to donate their organs or tissue and enabled others to live and transform their lives.

“Every person that joins the NHS Organ Donor Register could potentially save a life and give hope to the 580 people waiting for a transplant in Scotland. If you support organ donation, I’d encourage you to join the Register today and tell your family of your decision.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit weneedeverybody.org.