Corbyn backs Mirror organ donor battle
I’m healthy, I’m fit and I could do something to help. I would love others to do the same KARIE MURPHY ON DECISION TO BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR
KARIE Murphy, Jeremy Corbyn’s most powerful aide, secretly donated a kidney to save the life of a gravely ill young boy.
Murphy, who is the Labour leader’s chief of staff, volunteered to help a stranger in an incredible act of selflessness.
The former nurse said: “I’m healthy, I’m fit and I could do something to help. It was a personal choice, but I would love others to think of doing something similar.”
Murphy, 53, donated to an ailing young lad in North East England in December 2014. She has broken her near threeyear silence to urge MPs to back the Daily Mirror’s Change The Law For Life campaign.
The mum-of-two stressed: “I’m not seeking recognition. I intended to keep it private, but this is a one-off public interview to encourage others to think about what they could do to save lives. This is to promote the Mirror campaign.”
SACRIFICE
Murphy who had her transplant operation in Guy’s Hospital, South London, said that she didn’t want any contact with the recipient. She said: “I decided I didn’t need any feedback. “I wanted the person who needed this kidney focusing on getting well. Then I got a card from the boy. I knew that the transplant had gone well, the youngster was all right and he’d be fit and healthy.” The note was sent via the transplant service, so both parties remain anonymous. Murphy said: “I’m what they call an altruism donor. I saw an advert on TV appealing for people to register as donors, and it moved me quite profoundly. Having been 25 years in the NHS, it affected me deeply. I decided that it was something I was going to do. “As a ward sister, a nursing sister and a health visitor, I felt confident in the NHS. I didn’t feel the least bit scared.” Her children, a daughter aged 20 and son aged 22, were fully supportive and are hugely proud of her sacrifice. And, despite a post-surgery infection that required hospital treatment, Murphy said: “I made a fabulous recovery. I have no regrets. This was something I did for me.” And a young lad in the North East, who owes his life to her.