Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Joy for Mark

Transplant tourist has kidney op - icWales click for full story

Now, after more than five years of waiting, the dad-of-two, from Porthcawl, has had a kidney transplant at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales.

Today, he said he hoped others wouldn’t have to go through the “horrendous” experience of trying to buy a kidney – and urged more people in South Wales to become donors.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Donor Cards Backing (from Tivyside Advertiser)

Donor Cards Backing (from Tivyside Advertiser)

Donor cards backing

PLANS to tackle the shortage of organ donors by introducing an EU-wide donor card are being backed by Wales Euro-MPs Eluned Morgan and Glenys Kinnock.

They are supporting a European Parliament report urging greater co-operation between EU countries to address the shortage of organ donors and crackdown on the illegal trade in the trafficking of organs.
Last year 16 people from Wales died while waiting for an organ transplant, and there are currently 474 people in Wales on the waiting list.

As well as an EU donor card, MEPs also want a European transplant hotline to provide rapid, relevant and accurate information.

Eluned Morgan added: "Despite robust legislation in many parts of the world, the international black market in organs is now well-established, coaxing desperate people to far-flung countries in search of a kidney or another organ.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Meet the donor who’s making a difference - icWales

Meet the donor who’s making a difference - icWales click for full article in Media Wales

Meet the donor who’s making a difference

Apr 12 2008

by Laura Wright, South Wales Echo
THIS week’s featured nominee for the Cardiff University People’s Fellowship Award is the first person in the UK to have four major organ transplants.

She was put on dialysis in hospital for 10 months, but was determined not to give up.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Wales ahead of the game in free health checks - icWales

Wales ahead of the game in free health checks - icWales

Praise where praise is due but we need more for prevention of kidney disease

Wales ahead of the game in free health checks
Apr 2 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail
WALES will not be following England’s idea to offer the over-40s free health checks.
The Welsh Assembly Government last night said screening is already provided for people at high risk of chronic diseases.
But it is exploring ways of strengthening existing screening for conditions such as cardiac disease, stroke and diabetes.
The English Health Secretary Alan Johnson yesterday announced that everyone aged 40 to 74 will be offered screening for illnesses that kill 170,000 people a year.
The check-ups are intended to help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

New multi-million pound kidney unit to be opened in Carmarthen » Central government » 24dash.com

New multi-million pound kidney unit to be opened in Carmarthen » Central government » 24dash.com
Click


Roy J. Thomas, Chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation, said: “Our recent Campaign highlighted the need for more world class renal facilities in Wales.“The new dialysis unit in Carmarthen underlines the Minister’s support to achieving this goal and it is hugely encouraging to see she is committed to improving the lives of those affected by kidney failure.

“We are committed to working with a Government which is prepared to work in partnership and not be afraid to be challenged.“We can then assist each other in delivery with a more patient focused approach. By doing so patients lives will be improved.”

When they told me a kidney match had been found I cried - icWales


When they told me a kidney match had been found I cried - icWales click for full story

Everyone at Kidney Wales has great news when leading KW volunteer in the People Like Us Campaign had the call for a transplant . Read about her in the Echo tonight or click here. Picture Jayne Williams and her very supportive Family

After her diagnosis Jayne, who said she’d love to get back behind the bar, said she’s now devoting herself to the work of the Kidney Wales Foundation and their charity campaign to get more donors and raise money for kidney research.

“Whatever they want me to do I’ll do".
Jane, 34, of Glyndwr Road, Barry, had been undergoing dialysis four times a day taking 40 minutes a time – a treatment she carried out herself at home.
“The waiting was just horrible and only those who are on a waiting list for a transplant know what it’s like. It could be tomorrow it could be next year, you never know.”

But Jayne was driven by an optimism supported by her two young sons Ashley, 16, and Tarl, 12, who with husband Philip, rallied round to help her keep the family home running.
Everyone at Kidney Wales appreciates her work ethic .
"Jayne has been amazing in the Office and has already given of her time with Phil . Ashley is in School with my Son and is a great guy and a very good rugby player! Tarl and Ashley have been worried about their Mum .It is great news and what we want for all our patients in Wales -World Class treatment. " Said Roy J. Thomas Chairman of Kidney Wales Foundation.