Give gift of life People urged to join donor register
NHS Tayside transport coordinator Irene Russell, renal services consultant Dr Graham Stewart, Josh Coull, Barbara McIntosh and Lindsay McIntosh NHS Tayside is asking people to think about giving the gift of life this Christmas by joining the organ donor register.
The campaign is under way called ‘We Need Everybody’, which seeks to encourage people to sign-up to the potentially lifesaving register regardless of their ethnicity, body shape, size or medical history.
Barbara McIntosh, from Inchture, and her daughter Susan Johnstone, who lives in Longforgan, are supporting NHS Tayside’s bid to boost numbers.
They have witnessed first-hand the impact an organ donation can bring.
Back in 2007, Barbara decided to donate a kidney to Susan who was receiving renal dialysis.
And, since then, both have been looked after by the Renal Services team at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. Barbara said: “We first came into contact with Ninewells renal ward and unit after my daughter Susan’s sudden diagnosis of chronic renal failure back in 2007.
“After a successful live kidney transplant in 2008, when I donated a kidney to Susan, we have been cared for and supported by the staff at Ninewells renal ward and unit since then.
“A collection was taken at my late husband’s funeral and was donated to the ward and unit as a small gesture of appreciation from our family for the care and support we have received over the years.
“Susan’s friends and colleagues from Perth and Kinross Council’s childcare team also contributed by holding a lunch and raffle, bringing the final total handed over to £700.”
The £700 cheque was presented to the renal services team by Barbara McIntosh, her daughter Lindsay McIntosh and grandson Josh Coull.
Irene Russell, a transplant coordinator with the regional health board, said: “Transplants are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine, but they depend entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to make this life-saving gift to others.
“It is very important that you tell your partner, families and friends that you have joined the register so that they know your wishes.”
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside continued: “Lots of people think they would be unsuitable to donate organs and tissues because of their medical history or lifestyle choices, but each potential donor is individually assessed and people from all ethnicities and backgrounds are invited to register.
“It only takes a few minutes to join the register and one donor can potentially save or transform up to nine lives.”