Organ donation: the gift of life………………."A Liver and Kidney transplant was the only hope I had of any kind of life, and I WAS LUCKY TO GET ONE" But it’s not the same for my sister, Betty who died more than five years ago on 10th November 2008! She lost her life following a long battle with an illness which could have been alleviated with a kidney and liver transplant.  Betty left two sons behind who were then ages 11 and 9yrs.  Unfortunately my sister Betty, who lived in India, was never able to benefit from a transplant, as there is a worldwide shortage of organ donors.  Have you thought about giving life to someone should you die? 

More than twelve years ago……….It was a terrible feeling to know that I had no kidney at all in my body - working or not - and that I was 100 % dependent on a machine to keep me alive. I was on the machine three times a week which was horrible - really tough especially when the blood pressure goes very low after dialysis. Eventually I was lucky when my name was added on the transplant list, my waiting time was only 8 months (officially only three months with the beeper) and when my beeper went off one day (9th October 2002) - I clearly remember that day – I was out at Canary Warf station in London (waiting for a friend to come and pick me up as I was really weak). I nearly passed out with joy and called the hospital and confirmed if the message was from them.

 In the past year 4,212 organ transplants were carried out, thanks to the generosity of 2,313 donors. Eleven years ago I was one of the lucky ones to have undergone a Liver and Kidney Transplant and for those who know me witness the second chance this gave me to live my gift. Today more than 10,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant that could save or dramatically improve their life.  Of these, 1000 people - 3 a day - will die before an organ becomes available.

It took me nearly two weeks to come out of my induced coma as a few things went wrong initially and the doctors didn’t think I would recover. All my family and friends prayed so hard for me and here I am as per God’s plan..………..

 I had a condition called Hyperoxaluria which is a genetic condition passed on from a faulty gene from both parents. The kidneys shut down due to huge deposits of oxalate stones collecting huge stag horn calculi which caused my kidneys to fail. The only way to rectify the issue is to have a combined transplant of liver and kidney. Before the transplant I had to have several operations due to huge stones in my kidney but transplant gave me a second chance in life. I was so ill that my weight dropped to less than 6st and was confined to a wheelchair.

 With each passing day, I asked God questions like, why me, I cried to him that I couldn’t bear the pain anymore and spare me! But God answered me that day – when I was chosen for a miracle in my life! I cannot contemplate as to what kind of mess I would have been if I didn’t have God in my life. I was lucky to have been born in a Christian family and played an active role in my church, back home in India as a Sunday school teacher.

 I was very sad to know that the Liver and Kidney was from a 15 year old girl named Samantha and one day God willing if I have a daughter I would like to name her Samantha in memory of my donor.  I wouldn’t have been alive if it wasn’t for Samantha’s parents who decided to donate her organs.

 The gift of life …….. the past eleven years is a witness in itself and to prove what difference this gift of life has given me. Since my transplant I am able to have a normal life (although it did take me a few years to get there) I can exercise (cycle, jog etc) and take part in Race for Life, cycle London to Brighton. Not only that I am doing my British Sign Language level 3, I go Karate class and ice skating and have a full time job working for my local council and a part time job as a youth worker and look after my garden, allotment, cat, dog, chickens and you name it and I do it. I have also completed three more bike rides including the classic Oxfordshire (50 miles) Suffolk Coast ride (60 miles) and Peak District ride (25 steep miles) which is quite challenging. Last year at the British Transplant Games in Sheffield I took part in the events and won 3 gold medals in the discus event, the 5k cycling time trial and the 10k cycling race, as well as taking silver in the 100 meters run.

 Could you make a difference??? ....................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. There is a desperate need for more donors like Samantha’s family and I plead that you to consider being donors. Betty was not only a sister to me, she was more a mother when my dad passed away when I was 14, she was my rock and I still miss her…….

 Last year more than 400 people died while waiting for a transplant. One in ten people waiting for a heart transplant will die and many others will lose their lives before they even get on to the waiting list.  The more people who pledge to donate their organs after their death, the more people stand to benefit. By choosing to join the NHS Organ Donor Register you could help make sure life goes on. Go to https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/how_to_become_a_donor/registration/registration_form.asp?campaignCode=-1  to find out more information.

 Each year passes by and I never forget the day I had the transplant and can’t wait to reach the 25 year milestone and celebrate with all my friends and family and a special thank you to all of them and to the team at the Addenbrookes’ Liver and Kidney team for being there for me the last 12 years.

 This year I am planning to complete the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, a 100 mile bike ride (not sure which one yet!) and Robin Hood half marathon in end September. I hope to raise more money for my transplant team at Addenbrookes and to be able to save many lives like my sister.

Ps: Just an update. I have completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks on 27th April this year. That was tough! 

I have also competed cycling Yorkshire to Corby on 3rd June. Total 100.2 miles.  You know what they say that the proof is in the pudding. I'm my case it is on places where I can't explain! !!!!

Just one more to go. ...... I hope you are proud of me big sis xx

Thursday 24th July 2014....Update

Some of you may have heard that I have fallen down(literally speaking). Well thats true and initially diagnosed that I had a Hairline Fracture on my left femur. But luckily it is not broken, but not so luckily I have a Quadriceps strain and have been asked to rest my leg with gentle exercise. I am gutted that I cannot take part in transplant games but I am still hoping to take part in half marathon (nice try ey!). Well I am hopeful. If I cannot do it on the end of September I still want to do it before the year end (27th April). Thank you for all the kind words and support you have all showed ..... I believe that falling down is part of life, and getting back up is living...............and the journey continues

Wednesday 28th January 2015...update

I am finally ready to complete my half marathon on the 1st March 2015. I have decided to do it a bit different and will be doing it on the treadmill at the Corby International pool, Gym. Looking forward to completing it as it has been a long time coming.