A 15-year-old boy from Nottingham has spoken of his gratitude after receiving a stranger's liver, which allowed him to return to school just weeks after the transplant. Kain Wright needed the new organ after his own liver began damaging his body, following a diagnosis of autoimmune liver disease.
Kain was one of more than 40 youngsters waiting for a transplant under the care of Birmingham Children's Hospital. Doctors there note that kidney transplant waiting lists are particularly long.
Operation in July
Kain underwent the operation in July and is now back at school, enjoying life with his family. He said: "I’m here today because someone made the selfless decision to become a donor, and their gift gave me the chance to carry on living, grow up and make more memories with my family. I’ll always be grateful for that. I think people should register because you could give someone a second chance at life when they need it most."
His mother, Tammie Romih, said: "Kain has come such a long way since his transplant. Seeing him back at school just eight weeks later, after everything he has been through, makes us incredibly proud of his strength and determination. We will never be able to thank the transplant and hospital teams enough for giving our boy a second chance at life. The care, support and kindness they showed Kain and our whole family will stay with us forever."
Organ Donation Week
The youngster and his family agreed to share his experience and photographs with the media during Organ Donation Week, hoping it will inspire others to save lives. The NHS supports Organ Donation Week in late September every year, and says more than 8,000 people across the UK are waiting for a life-changing transplant.
Kain was one of around 20 seriously ill children to undergo an organ transplant at Birmingham Children's Hospital alone so far this year, but the NHS says more can be done to save others of all ages.
Call to register
Rachel Clare, specialist nurse in organ donation, said: "We need more people to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register to help save and improve more lives. Having a recorded decision gives families certainty at an incredibly difficult time. Family support is vital to ensure organ donation can go ahead. Often families are dealing with the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one, and knowing their wishes can provide clear guidance and reassurance when decisions need to be made."
Registering your organ donation decision takes just a few minutes but could save up to nine lives. Carmel Capelett, advanced clinical practitioner at Birmingham Children's Hospital, said: "Kidney transplant waiting lists continue to increase, which means more families with seriously ill children are waiting for a phone call that will change their lives. This organ donation week, I encourage everyone to register your decision on the NHS organ donation website as it helps your loved ones know what you want. It takes two minutes, but it could save up to nine lives."
