Shotts News Kathryn given the gift of life
Organ donors appeal
A Shotts woman - who was given just hours to live - is encouraging others to join the organ donation list after a transplant saved her life.
Kathryn Murphy was diagnosed with auto immune hepatitis, which had caused cirrhosis of her liver, in December 2015.
The 28- year- old said: “I was extremely ill and was in and out of hospital week after week, including being in a coma for over a week after having gastric bleeds.
“At one point, I was given just two hours to live.
“Luckily, I was placed on the liver transplant list on the top band a few days after I awoke from the coma.”
Kathryn was on the transplant list for only five weeks and one day.
And she received her lifechanging phone call the following February.
The operation to save her live lasted eight and a half hours.
Kathryn, who is now an advocate for the national charity Live Life Give Life, said: “I am still regularly attending hospital for check-ups and blood tests to ensure there are no signs of rejection, but so far so good.
“I will forever be grateful to my amazing donor and also the donor’s family for giving me a new chance in life.
“Organ donation is, and always will be, extremely important and close to my heart.”
Kathryn knows she is one of the lucky ones to have received a Gift of Life.
Kathryn continued: “What are you waiting for?
“Talking about Organ Donation makes it easier for families to decide to donate a relative’s organs.
“Please have that conversation today.
“Sign up on the NHS Organ Donor Register and then speak up about your wishes with your relatives.”
You can sign the organ donor register online atwww. livelifegivelife.org.uk or at www. organdonation. nhs. uk or by phoning 0300 123 23 23.