‘You never think about organ donation until it happens to someone close to you’ - icWales

‘You never think about organ donation until it happens to someone close to you’ - icWales full story click here


by Madeleine Brindley, South Wales Echo

FORMER Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable has spoken about how the death of a close friend inspired him to join the Organ Donor Register.

The musician revealed that his friend Michael Headford had donated his organs following his sudden death a year ago.

Cable is one of a number of Welsh celebrities, including rugby ace James Hook, to feature in a unique campaign to encourage people to sign up as organ donors and talk to their families about their wishes.

Donate Wales – Tell A Loved One was launched earlier this month and is the first Welsh campaign of its kind. It is being supported by a series of television adverts featuring celebrities.

BBC NEWS | Wales | Musician supports donor campaign

BBC NEWS | Wales | Musician supports donor campaign click for full story

Stuart Cable has urged people to consider organ donation after a man who benefited from his late friend's organs told how it had changed his life.


When Cable's friend, Michael Headford, 41, died suddenly his organs helped save the lives of three people.

The family of one man helped by Mr Headford wrote a letter of thanks to his friends in Aberdare, Cynon Valley.

It inspired Cable, the Stereophonics' former drummer, to back a campaign for people join the Organ Donor Register.

He has added his name to the Donate Wales - Tell a Loved One campaign which is encouraging people to tell their friends and family about their wishes after their death.

Cable, now best known as a radio and TV presenter, said: "A friend of mine passed away suddenly about a year ago and none of us knew he was on the register.

A lot of people feel they want to keep their body in tact but when you can give the gift of life to three people, it's a pretty cool thing to do

Stuart Cable

"We received a letter at the pub sent by the family of one of the people who received an organ.

"This guy was a footballer and had a problem and couldn't play with his children.

"All of a sudden he has this transplant and he's given a new lease of life."

Wrexham mum joins call for more organ donors - Evening Leader

Wrexham mum joins call for more organ donors - Evening Leader click for full story
Published Date: 26 May 2008
By Laura Jones

THE MOTHER of a seriously ill baby has backed a new campaign which aims to bring fresh hope to people in need of organ donation.
The Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One campaign, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, was launched last week and aims to encourage people to join the organ donor register and give youngsters like 14-month-old baby Brooklyn Lloyd a fighting chance of long healthy life.

Mother Kelly Lloyd, from Pentre, near Wrexham, joined the register recently herself and is urging others to follow her lead.

Kelly, 24, has spent the past year caring for her sick daughter Brooklyn, who suffers from a rare and severe form of alpha-1 antitrypsin, an abnormal liver dysfunction that can progress to liver disease and liver failure.

The disease can lead to other complications such as emphysema and can prove fatal without a liver transplant, although Kelly has said that a transplant 'seems far too extreme to happen to such a young baby'.

Rugby stars back organ donor call - icWales

Rugby stars back organ donor call - icWales

TOP STORY ON IC WALES WEBSITE


Rugby stars back organ donor call by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

CELEBRITIES will urge the public to sign up to the organ donor register in the first campaign of its kind in Wales.

Rugby player James Hook, actress Connie Fisher and former Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable are among the Welsh names to front the six-month drive.

It is hoped that the Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One campaign will help to address the dire shortage of organs for transplant in the UK.

It comes as more than 150 people in Wales have died in the last five years while they were on the transplant waiting list.

This will be the first organ donation campaign which is unique to Wales and will bring together nine major charities.

Health Minister Edwina Hart said: “Discussing what happens to us and our organs after we die are things most people don’t really want to think about but it is important for people to discuss the possibility with family members.

“If they are aware of their loved one’s wishes, family members can find it comforting to know that some good has come from their bereavement.”

About 470 people in Wales are currently waiting for an organ transplant, but with a desperate shortage of donors many face waiting years – 13-year-old Robert Edwards, from Dinas Powys, has been waiting for two years for a new kidney.

And there is a very real prospect that some will die while on the list. Last year, 16 people died while waiting.

More than 780,000 people in Wales have already joined the NHS Organ Donor Register but although the numbers are impressive, three out of four people have not joined.

And even though someone may have joined the register, they may not have spoken to their family about their wishes.

A person’s family makes the ultimate decision about whether organs can be donated after death.

Gaynor Taylor, whose son Richard and husband John both donated their organs when they died, said: “Knowing that Richard and John helped transform so many people’s lives gave me so much comfort at such a difficult time.

“When Richard died, both John and I never knew he had joined the organ donor register, but inside we knew it was something he would have wanted.

“Many families though don’t know what their loved ones wishes would be, which is why talking about them with your family and friends is so important.” The Donate Wales – Tell A Loved One campaign, which is launched today, will encourage people to talk about what they want to happen after their death as well as recruit more people to join the organ donor register.

But it will also tackle some of the common misconceptions about organ donation, such as there being no age limit to join the register or restrictions because of a person’s sexuality.

A series of television adverts featuring Colin Jackson, James Hook, Connie Fisher, Radio 1’s Aled Jones, Max Boyce, Feeder’s Grant Nicholas and Ruth Madoc will be screened from Friday.

Roy J Thomas, executive chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation, which is leading the campaign, said: “The Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One campaign will get Wales talking about organ donation.

“If we are to bridge the gap between the number of people waiting for organs and the number of organs available, we need to start talking to our loved ones about our wishes to become organ donors when we die and make sure we all join the organ donor register.”

For more campaign information visit www.donatewales. org or join the NHS Organ Donor Register by calling 0845 60 60 400.

SUCCESS AT CITY HALL CARDIFF

Hundreds turned out at the City Hall Cardiff to see the extended version of the TV adverts with stars Alex Jones , Amanda Protheroe Thomas and legend Stuart Cable who features in the advertisement and whose close friend made sure on his premature death that he was registered on the Organ donor Register.

The Walk for Life supporters generated over £77,000 for the Kidney Wales Foundation and Roy J Thomas said" Money is still coming in and we expect over £85,000 this year."

Communities like Ammanford and Fishguad raised over £10,000 for each Walk.

Pictured is Alex Jones who helped host the evening.

Robert Edwards awaiting the call

Robert Edwards has been on the waiting list for a new kidney for two years.The 13-year-old undergoes 10 hours of dialysis every night to help him stay alive.

On the outside Robert appears to lead a normal life – he enjoys camping, playing tennis and bowls and is a keen Scout – but his parents Jayne and Paul know their son’s life will never be normal until his receives a kidney transplant.

It is thought Robert’s kidneys became irreversibly damaged by a virus when he was three.

Mrs Edwards, who lives in Dinas Powys, said: “It’s been hard for him having to adjust his life around the dialysis, but we’ve been so proud in the way he has done this. You try to keep yourself occupied and make things as normal as possible for Robert, but sometimes you reach a point where it just snaps.”

She added: “Every time you see a strange number on the phone you think: ‘Is this it, is this the call saying a kidney is available?’ It’s difficult knowing something tragic has to happen for your child to be given a second chance, but the hope for us is knowing that so many people have already joined the organ donor register wanting to help people like Robert.”

Roy J. Thomas Chair of the Campaign said "Robert is a top guy and I feel privileged to have been working with him on the Campaign. I called him up to the stage in front of over 320 people on Thursday night and I am sure he would have delivered a better speech than me. Being on dialysis annoys him as he misses school.We are supporting him and all like Robert in Wales".

Pancreas transplant frees sufferer from diabetes - icWales

Pancreas transplant frees sufferer from diabetes - icWales click for full story

Pancreas transplant frees sufferer from diabetes

May 19 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

As the first adverts for the new Donate Wales – Tell A Loved One campaign are screened across Wales, Health Editor Madeleine Brindley met transplant patient Sara Griffiths.Pictured top left.

AM for Alyn and Deeside Carl Sargeant

CARL SARGEANT AM WELCOMES ORGAN DONATION CAMPAIGN


Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has attended the launch of a pioneering new campaign aimed at increasing the number of organ donors in Wales.The Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One campaign, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and led by the Kidney Wales Foundation, sees nine major charities come together for the first time in the UK to tackle the shortage of donors. It’s also the first time there has been an organ donation campaign unique to Wales.Mr Sargeant, who has spoken out in the chamber about the need to increase the number of people donating their organs for transplant, said: “More than three quarters of a million people in Wales have joined the Organ Donor Register but that still means that three in four of us have yet to do so. “For those people who have joined, it is crucially important that they talk to their loved ones about their views on organ donation because families often refuse to allow organs to be donated simply because they are unaware of their relative’s wishes.” The campaign, which will run until September 2008, is encouraging people to get talking about what they want to happen to their organs when they die and to encourage more people in Wales to join the Organ Donor Register.

Have A Heart Says Nerys (from South Wales Guardian)

Have A Heart Says Nerys (from South Wales Guardian)

Have a heart, says Nerys

Plaid Cymru AM Nerys Evans has today called on the people of Carmarthenshire to have a heart' and sign the organ donor register.

The AM for Mid and West Wales says that not enough people who agree with the principle of organ donation actually get around to actually signing up to the register.

Her call coincides with the launch of the cross charity campaign Donate Wales' which aims to raise awareness and increase the number of people signed up to the organ donor register.

"There is currently a dire shortage of organs available for transplants," said Ms Evans." This really is a matter of life and death - in the last year alone 22 people died while waiting for a transplant.

" When questioned, 90 per cent of people say that they agree with the principle of organ donation, but unfortunately only 27% of people in Wales actually get round to signing up to the organ donor register."

ADVERT ON ITV AND S4C

http://www.donatewales.org/celebrities/?video=play click to see advert

The Donate Wales Campaign was first screened last night and will continue for the next two weeks.

MINISTER CAMPAIGNS TO TELL LOVED ONES AND GETS WALES TALKING

Edwina Hart Minister for Health discussing the Campaign with Sandy Miewes AM at the Senedd.The Minister was instrumental in announcing funding for the Campaign and has seen all the charities get together led by Kidney Wales Foundation.

MEP Jill Evans Supports Donate Wales and Tell A Loved One Campaign

Jill Evans MEP (Plaid Cymru) said:

"I fully support the Donate Wales - Tell a Loved One Campaign. There is a Wales and Europe wide shortage of donor organs and Europe wide co-operation could help deal with that problem. Having a voluntary Europe wide register which complements existing provisions could certainly broaden the pool of potential donors and help save lives.

"The new proposals at EU level include a European organ donor card and measures to tackle organ trafficking and what has been described as 'transplant tourism'. It makes sense for there to be co-operation on this issue at European level, and lives may saved as a result."

MEPs heard that whilst the use of human organs for transplant has increased over recent years, the number of people requiring a transplant is now greater than the number of organs available. They voted to approve a number of proposals including a Europe wide organ donor card complementary to national systems, measures to ensure organ donations remain non-commercial and measures to combat organ trafficking.

FIRST MINISTER AND HEALTH MINISTER WITH CAMPAIGN

Patients with Rhodri Morgan and Edwina Hart on Day 1 of Campaign in Cardiff. Media coverage was across Wales.

Chair of the Campaign Roy J Thomas said " Let's get Wales Talking about saving lives.Our fellow Welshmen and women have died waiting. Offically 474 are waiting today and we believe many more. Support is essential and last night at the Senedd we asked AMs to get personally involved.Twenty Seven AMs attended our event.We need to harness their campaigning skills and get Wales talking."

BBC NEWS | Wales | Organ donors told to tell family

BBC NEWS | Wales | Organ donors told to tell family click

See the BBC WALES NEWS COVERAGE OF THE DAY 1

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7399024.stm

BBC NEWS | Wales | Scout Robert, 13, waits for donor

BBC NEWS | Wales | Scout Robert, 13, waits for donor

Teenager Robert Edwards is one of the hundreds in Wales waiting for an organ donor to come forward.

Robert, 13, from Dinas Powys near Cardiff, suffered kidney failure after a virus damaged the organs when he was just three years old.

For two years he has had dialysis 10 hours a night, seven days a week.

His family said it has been hard for him to adjust his life around dialysis, but he tries to lead an active life and enjoys time spent in the Scouts.

Virus left student facing a coma as liver failed - icWales

Virus left student facing a coma as liver failed - icWales

Virus left student facing a coma as liver failed
May 14 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

DOCTORS gave Tara Yasmin Jones just 24 hours to live after her liver was destroyed by a virus.

The bug had been circulating among students in Swansea, causing sickness and flu-like symptoms.

When Tara, now 20, caught it, she assumed she would recover quickly. But within three weeks the virus had left her critically ill with just 10% of her liver function remaining.

A year-and-a-half later, Tara has been able to resume her studies to become an interior decorator after she received a new liver.

Speaking at the launch of a major Welsh organ donation campaign yesterday, she said: “I feel great now. I’m totally grateful to the person who gave me such a gift. I had the transplant around Christmas time – I always associate Christmas with giving and receiving, but the greatest gift I had was the gift of life.

Rhodri Morgan says organ donation’s the ‘biggest single gift’ to the NHS - icWales

Rhodri Morgan says organ donation’s the ‘biggest single gift’ to the NHS - icWalesRhodri Morgan says organ donation’s the ‘biggest single gift’ to the NHS
May 14 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said organ donation is the “biggest single gift” a person can give the health service.

Speaking at the launch of the Donate Wales – Tell A Loved One campaign yesterday he revealed both he and wife Julie, MP for Cardiff North, are “fully signed up members of the organ donors club”.

And Health Minister Edwina Hart has said she will ask all Welsh AMs to check whether they had signed the register.

She admitted that she could not remember whether she had joined the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Mr Morgan said: “The sense of pride a family would feel after the terrible grief of tragedy knowing that an essential organ has helped to give another family a sense of normality, I believe, helps the grieving process.

“It is the biggest single gift you can make as a private citizen to the health service and, of course, help another person have a normal life again.

“It is really so important for everyone – whether First Minister or private citizen – to make inquiries about organ donation and to talk to their families about it.”

SUCCESS ON DAY 1 - TELL A LOVED ONE

DAY 1 of the Campaign in Cardiff with patients and Families.

Sara Griffiths kidney-pancreas receipient;Robert Edwards waiting for a kidney and Tara Yasmin Jones a liver receipient at the launch.

BBC NEWS | Wales | Organ donation campaign launched

BBC NEWS | Wales | Organ donation campaign launched click for full story

A campaign aimed at increasing the number of organ donors in Wales is being launched later.

Around 470 people in Wales are waiting for an organ transplant now and 780,000 people are on the organ donor register.

But leaders of the campaign say they want this new scheme to "get Wales talking" about organ donation.

Roy Thomas, executive chairman of Kidney Foundation Wales, will launch Donate Wales - Tell a Loved One outside Cardiff City Hall.

Balloons will be released at the launch representing 150 people in Wales who have died since 2003 waiting for a donor, and another 471 who are still waiting.

Mr Thomas said: "If we are to bridge the gap between the number of people waiting for organs and the number of organs available, we need to start talking to our loved ones about our wished to become organ donors when we die and make sure we all join the organ donor register."

Rugby stars back organ donor call - icWales

Rugby stars back organ donor call - icWales

Rugby stars back organ donor call
May 13 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

CELEBRITIES will urge the public to sign up to the organ donor register in the first campaign of its kind in Wales.

Rugby player James Hook, actress Connie Fisher Max Boyce , Colin Jackson and former Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable are among the Welsh names to front the six-month drive.

It is hoped that the Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One campaign will help to address the dire shortage of organs for transplant in the UK.

It comes as more than 150 people in Wales have died in the last five years while they were on the transplant waiting list.

This will be the first organ donation campaign which is unique to Wales and will bring together nine major charities.

Health Minister Edwina Hart said: “Discussing what happens to us and our organs after we die are things most people don’t really want to think about but it is important for people to discuss the possibility with family members.

“If they are aware of their loved one’s wishes, family members can find it comforting to know that some good has come from their bereavement.”

About 470 people in Wales are currently waiting for an organ transplant, but with a desperate shortage of donors many face waiting years – 13-year-old Robert Edwards, from Dinas Powys, has been waiting for two years for a new kidney.

And there is a very real prospect that some will die while on the list. Last year, 16 people died while waiting.

More than 780,000 people in Wales have already joined the NHS Organ Donor Register but although the numbers are impressive, three out of four people have not joined.

And even though someone may have joined the register, they may not have spoken to their family about their wishes.

A person’s family makes the ultimate decision about whether organs can be donated after death.

Gaynor Taylor, whose son Richard and husband John both donated their organs when they died, said: “Knowing that Richard and John helped transform so many people’s lives gave me so much comfort at such a difficult time.

“When Richard died, both John and I never knew he had joined the organ donor register, but inside we knew it was something he would have wanted.

“Many families though don’t know what their loved ones wishes would be, which is why talking about them with your family and friends is so important.” The Donate Wales – Tell A Loved One campaign, which is launched today, will encourage people to talk about what they want to happen after their death as well as recruit more people to join the organ donor register.

But it will also tackle some of the common misconceptions about organ donation, such as there being no age limit to join the register or restrictions because of a person’s sexuality.

A series of television adverts featuring Colin Jackson, James Hook, Connie Fisher, Radio 1’s Aled Jones, Max Boyce, Feeder’s Grant Nicholas and Ruth Madoc will be screened from Friday.

Roy J Thomas, Executive chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation, which is leading the campaign, said: “The Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One campaign will get Wales talking about organ donation.

“If we are to bridge the gap between the number of people waiting for organs and the number of organs available, we need to start talking to our loved ones about our wishes to become organ donors when we die and make sure we all join the organ donor register.”

For more campaign information visit www.donatewales. org or join the NHS Organ Donor Register by calling 0845 60 60 400.

First ever campaign to get Wales Talking About Organ Donation

A pioneering campaign aimed at increasing the number of organ donors in Wales will be launched .

The Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One campaign, funded by the
Welsh Assembly Government and led by the Kidney Wales
Foundation, sees nine major charities come together for the first
time in the UK to tackle the shortage of donors.

It’s also the first time there’s been an organ donation campaign unique to Wales.
The campaign will be launched at 10:30am 13 of May at City Hall in
Cardiff by First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Health Minister Edwina
Hart and Roy J. Thomas, Executive Chairman Kidney Wales
Foundation.

Currently, around 471 people in Wales are waiting for an organ
transplant, but with a desperate shortage of donors many face
the reality of having to wait years and the possibility they may
even die while waiting.

In the last five years, more than 750 lives have been transformed
by a transplant and the generosity of a donor. Sadly, in that time
150 people have died while waiting for a suitable donor organ –
the equivalent of one person every fortnight.

More than 780,000 in Wales have joined the Organ Donor
Register but that leaves three in four of us who have not. Many
people do not talk to their loved ones about their views on
organ donation, which means that families often refuse to allow
organs to be donated simply because they are unaware of their
wishes.

The campaign, which will run until September 2008, is set to get
us talking about what we want to happen to our organs when
we die and to encourage more of us in Wales to join the Organ
Donor Register.

TIMELINE OF ACTION & ACTIVITIES

February 1, 2008

• Minister for Health confirms grant funding of £100,000
for the Kidney Wales Foundation to lead an all-Wales
organ donation campaign.
February 18
• Kidney Wales appoints new Head of Development,
Communications and Events from UK Transplant to
manage Campaign.
• Campaign strategy prepared by Kidney Wales
Foundation presented to Minister for Health.

February 20

• Peter Gill & Associates appointed to design and produce
campaign branding and TV advert. Mr Producer
appointed to cast and brief target celebrities to support
campaign ad and front advert. KW approach celebrities.

February 22

• Transplant in Minds’ Organ Donor Bus confirmed for
summer campaign activity.

March 3

• Partner charities meeting to discuss latest campaign
details with Assembly officals.
• Meetings with designers.

March 17

• Campaign briefing at University Hospital of Wales to
transplant and donor co-ordinators.

March 20

• Glamorgan Cricket Club to confirm campaign
partnership.

March 20-27

Script writing and agreeing positioning of Campaign for
multi media.
Key messages agreed.
Throughout March/April
• Build-up portfolio of transplant case studies and writeup
stories.
• Write copy for website and leaflet.
• Approve designs/content for campaign branding.

April 3

• TV advert filming with Radio 1’s Aled Jones at Radio
Cymru.

April 7

• Public Focus group meets to discuss campaign branding
and advert content/theme.

April 8

• Partner charities meeting to approve Campaign details.

April 9

• TV advert filming with: Ruth Madoc at her home in
Glynneath, 11am, and Colin Jackson in Pontcanna ,
Cardiff, 5pm.

April 10

• Meeting with PR Agency to discuss PR opportunities for
Campaign.

April 11

• TV advert filming with Stuart Cable in Aberdare.

April 14

• Meeting with Glamorgan Cricket to confirm
partnership.

April 16

• TV advert filming with: Max Boyce at the Millennium
Stadium, 10am, Sara Elgan in Canton, 5pm, and Iolo
Williams in Canton, 10pm.

April 21

• TV advert filming with Welsh Rugby Team members
James Hook, Alun Wyn Jones and Ryan Jones at the
Liberty Stadium, Swansea, 2.30pm.

April 22

• TV advert filming in London with Grant Nicholas and
Connie Fisher – all day.

April 23

• Partner charities meeting to discuss latest campaign
details.

April 24

• Meeting with PR Agents to confirm support PR
partnership for campaign (role to include securing
public and private parnerships)


April 28-30
• Editing and dubbing of TV advert and recording of
voiceover.
• TV advertisement spaces secured on ITV Wales and S4C.
• Launch attendees list drawn-up.

April 30/May 7

• Further meetings with Merlin to discuss PR plan/activity
for launch and distribution outlets for campaign
leaflets/posters.

May 2

• HSBC confirmed as a distribution partner for leaflets –
displaying posters and leaflets in its 150 Welsh banks.
• Launch invites sent to invited guests.

May 6

• Filming with donor family Gaynor Taylor for website.

May 8

• Campaign briefing to Minister of Health at Cathay’s
Park, 1.45pm (including screening of TV advert).

May 9

• Campaign briefing to key media partners (all day/various
locations/including screening of advert).

May 13

• Campaign launch: 10.30am launch with FIRST MINISTER & HEALTH MINISTER patients and families in City Hall Cardiff.
• T-shirts provided for photo opportunities.
• Media wall and roller banners for PR and photo
opportunities.
• Lollipop signs representing campaign speech bubble
logos for PR and photo opportunities.
• Roller banners featuring each celebrity involved in
campaign.
• 5.30pm Edwina Hart AM Minister for Health and
Roy J Thomas Chair Kidney Wales launch at Cwrt in
Senedd with the Wales Cross Party Renal Group and
other invited attendees.
• Launch of campaign and Facebook websites.

Team working on the TV advertisement for Campaign

Today we put finishing touches to the TV advert.

The filming began in April and we have eleven celebrities filmed and pictured.

Jason Gill is pictured with the producer Deiniol and editor Madog at the Boomerang studio.

The english and welsh version is now done and the casting was undertaken by Mr Producer.

Hours are being spent organising the Campaign which will be educational and a call to sign to the organ donor register.