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CLDF’s voice is heard in the House

11/01/12

Just before Christmas, CLDF attended the House of Commons reception for Transplant 2013, the all-party group which aims to increase organ donation by 50 percent by 2013. Chief Executive, Catherine Arkley was joined by three of our supporters – all keen to lobby MPs to do all they can to help T2013 meet its aims.

Kath Davidson enjoyed the opportunity to meet other people with similar interests and concerns: “Following the presentations (the most moving of which came from a young man who, having lost both his father and brother to a genetic condition, had had his life saved by a heart transplant) there was the opportunity to network. I met representatives from ‘Live Life then Give Life’, set up by young people who have had a transplant to promote organ donation; they were truly inspirational.

“On the other side I spoke to a couple representing the Donor Family Network who had become involved following the death of their 16 year old son from a brain haemorrhage; donation of his organs had saved five lives and thus they had gained some comfort from this tragedy.”

Sarah Biagetti added:  “My son Luca had an emergency liver transplant aged two, after he became suddenly ill, with an unknown virus which caused his liver to fail. I found it heartwarming and fascinating to talk to different people with very different experiences - from the amazing donor families to the transplant co-ordinator who had put Luca on the transplant list in 2009.“

Joanne Hardwick also found the evening an inspirational one: “On a personal level, it confirmed two key points; firstly how important it is for the public to hear about the skill and expertise of the three paediatric liver transplant centres and to share how liver disease affects babies, children and young people. Secondly, how important it is for families and friends to share their wishes about organ donation, to help increase donation rates. The evening gave me a real insight into the work CLDF is doing to champion organ donation and how we as families can help make a difference.”

Many thanks to our supporters who attended the reception and also to all of you who wrote to your MPs to encourage them to go along. It was a great opportunity to help get an important message across and we’ll keep you posted of developments.

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