WalesOnline - News - Cardiff News - Giant kidney running marathon in memory of his friend Garry
A CARDIFF runner will join the ranks of colourful costumes on Sunday as he tackles the race dressed as a giant kidney.
Gareth Evans, 30, of St Margaret’s Road, Whitchurch, is running the 26-mile course in aid of Kidney Wales following the death of close friend and running mate Garry Newbould.
A long-term supporter of Kidney Wales, Garry died suddenly in January last year.
Saturday 25 April 2009
Friday 24 April 2009
WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Organ-donor volunteer numbers soar after TV campaign
WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Organ-donor volunteer numbers soar after TV campaign
Organ-donor volunteer numbers soar after TV campaign
Apr 24 2009 by Gregory Tindle, Western Mail
A HARD-HITTING Welsh organ donor appeal which sparked complaints to the Advertising Standard Authority has led to a massive increase in people wanting to become donors.
Following the launch of the Save Sian television campaign by the Kidney Wales Foundation, the numbers joining the Organ Donor Register in Wales has increased by 62%.
In the first month of the charity’s Donate Wales Save Sian campaign, nearly 4,500 people pledged to become donors. This compares to 2,763 people who signed up during the same period from March 12 to April 9 in 2008. The total number of people now registered as organ donors in Wales is now more than 817,000.
Roy J Thomas, chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation, said: “It is hugely encouraging to the hundreds of people in Wales waiting for a transplant that the response to the Save Sian advert has been so overwhelming.”
He added: “The advert did fuel a small number of complaints, but these were not upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority who in its adjudication said most viewers would understand the importance of the advert.”
The commercial was funded by a £70,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government and depicted a young child on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant.
The advert centred on a six-year-old girl to highlighted the shortage of donors in Wales. Sian pleads with viewers: “Don’t let me die.”
Organ-donor volunteer numbers soar after TV campaign
Apr 24 2009 by Gregory Tindle, Western Mail
A HARD-HITTING Welsh organ donor appeal which sparked complaints to the Advertising Standard Authority has led to a massive increase in people wanting to become donors.
Following the launch of the Save Sian television campaign by the Kidney Wales Foundation, the numbers joining the Organ Donor Register in Wales has increased by 62%.
In the first month of the charity’s Donate Wales Save Sian campaign, nearly 4,500 people pledged to become donors. This compares to 2,763 people who signed up during the same period from March 12 to April 9 in 2008. The total number of people now registered as organ donors in Wales is now more than 817,000.
Roy J Thomas, chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation, said: “It is hugely encouraging to the hundreds of people in Wales waiting for a transplant that the response to the Save Sian advert has been so overwhelming.”
He added: “The advert did fuel a small number of complaints, but these were not upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority who in its adjudication said most viewers would understand the importance of the advert.”
The commercial was funded by a £70,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government and depicted a young child on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant.
The advert centred on a six-year-old girl to highlighted the shortage of donors in Wales. Sian pleads with viewers: “Don’t let me die.”
Wednesday 15 April 2009
Long transplant wait for Gwent kidney brothers (From South Wales Argus)
Long transplant wait for Gwent kidney brothers (From South Wales Argus)
BROTHERS Tony and Alan Morgan are on opposite sides of the organ transplant divide.
While Tony, 68, needs a new kidney to free him from the thrice-weekly demands of the dialysis that keeps him going, 66-year-old Alan continues to benefit from the donor kidney he received more than four years ago.
As a former chauffeur, Pontypool-born Tony, who lives in rural Monmouthshire, near Abergavenny, was used to covering hundreds of miles a week between South Wales and London whilst working for peers and company directors.
But now his biggest journeys are those making up the 180 miles a week he must travel by ambulance car to Cardiff and back for his vital treatment.
Tony is one of almost 500 people in Wales awaiting an organ transplant, though almost a quarter of these are currently suspended from the list, mainly due to illness.
BROTHERS Tony and Alan Morgan are on opposite sides of the organ transplant divide.
While Tony, 68, needs a new kidney to free him from the thrice-weekly demands of the dialysis that keeps him going, 66-year-old Alan continues to benefit from the donor kidney he received more than four years ago.
As a former chauffeur, Pontypool-born Tony, who lives in rural Monmouthshire, near Abergavenny, was used to covering hundreds of miles a week between South Wales and London whilst working for peers and company directors.
But now his biggest journeys are those making up the 180 miles a week he must travel by ambulance car to Cardiff and back for his vital treatment.
Tony is one of almost 500 people in Wales awaiting an organ transplant, though almost a quarter of these are currently suspended from the list, mainly due to illness.
Thursday 9 April 2009
WalesOnline - News - Transplant miracle Allison planning to be doctor herself
WalesOnline - News - Cardiff News - Transplant miracle Allison planning to be doctor herselfMedical student Allison John is the first person in Britain to have had all her major organs replaced. Greg Tindle discovers just what she’s gone through
AS budding doctor Allison John helps out on the ward rounds most patients would be amazed at just what the medical student has been through.
And when she finally qualifies, no-one but Allison should know more about the importance of a doctor’s bedside manner.
For Allison, 30, is living proof of the importance of organ donation, having received three massive transplants to replace her liver, heart and lungs and finally her kidneys.
All the transplants have proved a success and put her in the record books as the first person in the UK to have all her major organs replaced.
And during all of this Allison has herself helped save a life – donating her heart to a pensioner in Kent.
Despite all this disruption to her life, which started when she was just 17, Allison is now on course to eventually fulfil her dream and start work as a doctor.
Allison had embarked on her medical degree in 2001 and was four years into the five-year course when she had kidney failure and was forced into a three-year break to recover from her final transplant.
It’s only in the past few months that Allison has felt fit enough to resume her studies and is now well on course to complete the final stages of her degree in medicine at Cardiff University.
She said: “I haven’t felt so well for years. Since the kidney transplant I’ve got more energy and got my appetite back and like nothing better than a spicy Mexican meal.”
The kidney transplant carried out two-and-a-half years ago at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales was doubly special for Allison as the donor was her dad, David John, who was discovered to be a perfect match for his ailing daughter.
“When I had kidney problems I was losing a lot of weight, I couldn’t eat properly because everything tasted metallic, and I felt sick all the time and unable to drink very much.”
It was while she was convalescing from the transplant that Allison threw herself into voluntary work supporting the charity Kidney Foundation Wales and encouraging more people to sign up for the UK organ donor register.
WalesOnline - News - Health News - Complaints over DONATE WALES’s ‘distressing’ ad rejected
WalesOnline - News - Health News - Complaints over charity’s ‘distressing’ ad rejected
Complaints over charity’s ‘distressing’ ad rejected
Apr 9 2009 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail
COMPLAINTS about the Donate Wales hard-hitting television advert to boost organ donation rates in Wales have been rejected by the Advertising Standards Authority.
A number of people lodged official complaints with the watchdog about the recent Save Sian advert, which depicted a young girl on haemodialysis.
At the end of the advert, which could only be screened after 7.30pm, the young actress said: “Don’t let me die.”
The advert was the latest phase of the Donate Wales campaign which is designed to increase the number of people on the organ donor register in Wales.
But a number of people complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that it was “unduly distressing” and “likely to cause particular distress to people awaiting donated organs, their families, and the families of organ donors”.
One person said their child had been upset by the advert.
It is also understood that the Kidney Wales Foundation, which leads the Donate Wales campaign, received a number of complaints about the advert, which was screened on S4C and ITV last month.
But the charity last night said it was standing by the advert as the ASA rejected the complaints.
The Kidney Wales Foundation said it had also written to everyone who complained to the Cardiff- based charity about the advert.
Roy J Thomas, chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation, said: “We welcome the ASA’s decision and thank them for their understanding.
“We did not take the decision to make such a hard-hitting television commercial lightly.
“Wales is in the grips of an organ donor crisis that is costing the life of one person every 11 days waiting for a transplant. That is why we made such a powerful, yet factual, commercial that will lead to more people who want to help joining the organ donor register.”
In its adjudication, the ASA said it sympathised with viewers who had found the Save Sian advert upsetting and understood that the issues it raised were very emotive. It considered that most viewers would understand that the advert was raising awareness for organ donation and would accept that it had to be hard-hitting to convey the importance of that message.
The ASA also noted that the advert was given a post-7.30pm restriction, which prevented it from broadcast before, during or immediately after children’s programmes or early in the evening, which meant it was unlikely to be seen by very young children.
It considered that the advert was unlikely to cause undue distress to most viewers, or particular distress to people awaiting donated organs, their families, or the families of organ donors.
The Kidney Wales Foundation last night said it had worked closely with staff at the University Hospital of Wales’ Children’s Kidney Unit, in Cardiff, to develop and make the advert, in a bid to ensure that its content and subject matter showed the reality for a paediatric patient waiting for a kidney transplant.
The advert, in which Sian was played by a six-year-old actress, was designed to tell people that it takes two minutes to sign the organ donor register.
It was funded by a Welsh Assembly Government grant of £70,000 for the ongoing Donate Wales campaign.
There are currently 495 people in Wales on the waiting list for an organ transplant – 441 people on that list are waiting for a new kidney.
Complaints over charity’s ‘distressing’ ad rejected
Apr 9 2009 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail
COMPLAINTS about the Donate Wales hard-hitting television advert to boost organ donation rates in Wales have been rejected by the Advertising Standards Authority.
A number of people lodged official complaints with the watchdog about the recent Save Sian advert, which depicted a young girl on haemodialysis.
At the end of the advert, which could only be screened after 7.30pm, the young actress said: “Don’t let me die.”
The advert was the latest phase of the Donate Wales campaign which is designed to increase the number of people on the organ donor register in Wales.
But a number of people complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that it was “unduly distressing” and “likely to cause particular distress to people awaiting donated organs, their families, and the families of organ donors”.
One person said their child had been upset by the advert.
It is also understood that the Kidney Wales Foundation, which leads the Donate Wales campaign, received a number of complaints about the advert, which was screened on S4C and ITV last month.
But the charity last night said it was standing by the advert as the ASA rejected the complaints.
The Kidney Wales Foundation said it had also written to everyone who complained to the Cardiff- based charity about the advert.
Roy J Thomas, chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation, said: “We welcome the ASA’s decision and thank them for their understanding.
“We did not take the decision to make such a hard-hitting television commercial lightly.
“Wales is in the grips of an organ donor crisis that is costing the life of one person every 11 days waiting for a transplant. That is why we made such a powerful, yet factual, commercial that will lead to more people who want to help joining the organ donor register.”
In its adjudication, the ASA said it sympathised with viewers who had found the Save Sian advert upsetting and understood that the issues it raised were very emotive. It considered that most viewers would understand that the advert was raising awareness for organ donation and would accept that it had to be hard-hitting to convey the importance of that message.
The ASA also noted that the advert was given a post-7.30pm restriction, which prevented it from broadcast before, during or immediately after children’s programmes or early in the evening, which meant it was unlikely to be seen by very young children.
It considered that the advert was unlikely to cause undue distress to most viewers, or particular distress to people awaiting donated organs, their families, or the families of organ donors.
The Kidney Wales Foundation last night said it had worked closely with staff at the University Hospital of Wales’ Children’s Kidney Unit, in Cardiff, to develop and make the advert, in a bid to ensure that its content and subject matter showed the reality for a paediatric patient waiting for a kidney transplant.
The advert, in which Sian was played by a six-year-old actress, was designed to tell people that it takes two minutes to sign the organ donor register.
It was funded by a Welsh Assembly Government grant of £70,000 for the ongoing Donate Wales campaign.
There are currently 495 people in Wales on the waiting list for an organ transplant – 441 people on that list are waiting for a new kidney.
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Funds raised in charity Raglan walk (From South Wales Argus)
Hundreds raised in charity Raglan walk (From South Wales Argus)
WALKERS hoping to raise funds to fight kidney disease received olympian inspiration from a Welsh athlete at the Raglan Walk For Life event yesterday.
Monmouth silver medalist Tom Lucy helped lead more than 100 fundraisers over a one mile route, raising £530.87 in the process.
Event organiser Sara Griffiths, 46, was delight at the amount raised.
She said: “Tom is a very caring person and has been particularly supportive of local charities. The proceeds we’ve raised will go to children who are suffering from kidney disease and kidney failure and help to give them improved levels of care.
“I myself had a kidney transplant 14 years ago and without it I would have died.
"This is the first year I’ve done a Walk For Life but it’s a big thing and I hope it will become an annual event.”
All money raised will go to Kidney Wales.
WALKERS hoping to raise funds to fight kidney disease received olympian inspiration from a Welsh athlete at the Raglan Walk For Life event yesterday.
Monmouth silver medalist Tom Lucy helped lead more than 100 fundraisers over a one mile route, raising £530.87 in the process.
Event organiser Sara Griffiths, 46, was delight at the amount raised.
She said: “Tom is a very caring person and has been particularly supportive of local charities. The proceeds we’ve raised will go to children who are suffering from kidney disease and kidney failure and help to give them improved levels of care.
“I myself had a kidney transplant 14 years ago and without it I would have died.
"This is the first year I’ve done a Walk For Life but it’s a big thing and I hope it will become an annual event.”
All money raised will go to Kidney Wales.
PM backs organ donor drive | Number10.gov.uk
PM backs organ donor drive | Number10.gov.uk
The PM has given his support to a 21-year-old student who is trying to set a world record for encouraging people to sign up as organ donors.
Holly Shaw, from Warrington, who received a kidney transplant last year, is trying to get as many people as possible to sign up to the Organ Donor Register on April 7.
Gordon Brown praised the efforts of Ms Shaw and the volunteers that have joined her campaign.
He said:
“I want to give my support and thanks to Holly Shaw and all those involved in her campaign. Joining the organ donation register is a selfless act of kindness which can save many lives and offer new hope for potentially thousands of families across the country.”
Ms Shaw decided to launch the campaign to raise more awareness about the need for organ donors after waiting more than three and a half years to receive her kidney transplant.
There are currently more than 8,000 people in the UK waiting for a transplant and only 26% of the population are on the Organ Donor Register.
The PM has given his support to a 21-year-old student who is trying to set a world record for encouraging people to sign up as organ donors.
Holly Shaw, from Warrington, who received a kidney transplant last year, is trying to get as many people as possible to sign up to the Organ Donor Register on April 7.
Gordon Brown praised the efforts of Ms Shaw and the volunteers that have joined her campaign.
He said:
“I want to give my support and thanks to Holly Shaw and all those involved in her campaign. Joining the organ donation register is a selfless act of kindness which can save many lives and offer new hope for potentially thousands of families across the country.”
Ms Shaw decided to launch the campaign to raise more awareness about the need for organ donors after waiting more than three and a half years to receive her kidney transplant.
There are currently more than 8,000 people in the UK waiting for a transplant and only 26% of the population are on the Organ Donor Register.
Thursday 2 April 2009
Barry fundraisers Walk For Life! (From Barry And District News)
Barry fundraisers Walk For Life! (From Barry And District News)
Barry fundraisers Walk For Life!
11:20am Thursday 2nd April 2009
Comments (0) Have your say »
By Elinor Cross »
THE Barry Walk For Life, held on Sunday, raised more than £1,300 for the Kidney Wales Foundation.
A crowd of walkers started at Morrisons Car Park at 11am. They walked to the Knap, through Romilly Park and back via Broad Street, wearing the official Walk For Life T-shirts.
The event was organised again this year by Gaynor Taylor in memory of her son Richard, who died in 2004, and her husband John, who died two years ago shortly before the walk.
Gaynor said: "It was a lovely day for it and the turn-out was good - we even had some fancy dress walkers."
Four members of the Sullivan family dressed as the 118 runners - provoking reactions from passing cars and pedestrians.
After the walk, Gaynor said: "This year, we raised more than £1,300, and another £500 from the associated quiz night, so although we haven't got a final figure yet, I am really pleased."
All walkers received a certificate to celebrate their achievement.
To find out more about the Kidney Wales Foundation, log on to www.kidneywales.com
Barry fundraisers Walk For Life!
11:20am Thursday 2nd April 2009
Comments (0) Have your say »
By Elinor Cross »
THE Barry Walk For Life, held on Sunday, raised more than £1,300 for the Kidney Wales Foundation.
A crowd of walkers started at Morrisons Car Park at 11am. They walked to the Knap, through Romilly Park and back via Broad Street, wearing the official Walk For Life T-shirts.
The event was organised again this year by Gaynor Taylor in memory of her son Richard, who died in 2004, and her husband John, who died two years ago shortly before the walk.
Gaynor said: "It was a lovely day for it and the turn-out was good - we even had some fancy dress walkers."
Four members of the Sullivan family dressed as the 118 runners - provoking reactions from passing cars and pedestrians.
After the walk, Gaynor said: "This year, we raised more than £1,300, and another £500 from the associated quiz night, so although we haven't got a final figure yet, I am really pleased."
All walkers received a certificate to celebrate their achievement.
To find out more about the Kidney Wales Foundation, log on to www.kidneywales.com
Wednesday 1 April 2009
AM backs organ donation campaign (From Penarth Times)
AM backs organ donation campaign (From Penarth Times)
CARDIFF South and Penarth Assembly Member Lorraine Barrett has joined calls for people across Wales to talk about organ donation in order to save the lives of hundreds of people.
The Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One Campaign, led by the Kidney Wales Foundation and supported by charities including the British Heart Foundation Wales, encourages friends and families to talk about this issue.
Ms Barrett said: "There are many issues that we love to talk about, such as the rugby – yet there are some topics we are more hesitant to discuss.
"One such topic is the donation of our organs when we die."
As the law stands, for organs to be donated the deceased must have signed the organ donation register or the family must give consent for the organs to be taken upon their relative’s death – there can be no presumption of permission.
The principal problem in finding donors is that, in many cases, the family of the deceased do not know that their loved one would have wanted their organs to be donated for transplant.
It is because of the potential for saving lives and the ease with which this can be achieved that the campaign urges people to talk about whether or not they would like their organs to be donated.
There are several ways to make organ donation easier, from talking about it with relatives and friends or by signing up directly to the donation register online (www.donatewales.org) or by telephoning 0845 60 60 400.
CARDIFF South and Penarth Assembly Member Lorraine Barrett has joined calls for people across Wales to talk about organ donation in order to save the lives of hundreds of people.
The Donate Wales – Tell a Loved One Campaign, led by the Kidney Wales Foundation and supported by charities including the British Heart Foundation Wales, encourages friends and families to talk about this issue.
Ms Barrett said: "There are many issues that we love to talk about, such as the rugby – yet there are some topics we are more hesitant to discuss.
"One such topic is the donation of our organs when we die."
As the law stands, for organs to be donated the deceased must have signed the organ donation register or the family must give consent for the organs to be taken upon their relative’s death – there can be no presumption of permission.
The principal problem in finding donors is that, in many cases, the family of the deceased do not know that their loved one would have wanted their organs to be donated for transplant.
It is because of the potential for saving lives and the ease with which this can be achieved that the campaign urges people to talk about whether or not they would like their organs to be donated.
There are several ways to make organ donation easier, from talking about it with relatives and friends or by signing up directly to the donation register online (www.donatewales.org) or by telephoning 0845 60 60 400.
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