Holly's search for donor continues
5:26pm Thursday 3rd January 2008
COME this time of year most people are resolving to drink less, lose weight or quit smoking.
But for one girl in Warrington, this time of year finds her waiting with crossed fingers for the new kidney that will save her life.
Holly Shaw, aged 20, has been on the waiting list for the vital organ for two-and-a-half years.
Every week she spends three days in hospital hooked up to a lifesaving dialysis machine.
"Dialysis is a lifesaver but it's also a life sentence. It's restrictive, time-consuming and has unpleasant side-effects," said Holly.
"But it's the only thing that can keep me alive unless I get a transplant," she said.
Holly was diagnosed with renal failure three years ago after suddenly becoming ill.
She was placed on the transplant list a few months later.
The search for a kidney affects her every day. She is only allowed to drink 500ml of fluid a day, she tires easily and faces near contant nausea.
Last year she featured in a video released by the Live Life Then Give Life campaign to raise awareness of the shortage of registered organ donors in the UK.
Holly, a second-year student at Chester University, lives at home with her parents in Westbrook.
l To sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit uktransplant.org.uk or call 0845 6060400.
For more information on the Live Life Then Give Life Campaign, visit livelifethengivelife.co.uk
Your Say Your Guardian
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Emily, Surrey says...
10:03am Sat 12 Jan 08
It's not that simple unfortunately. Holly would need to find an exact tissue and blood match and also not just anyone can volunteer, there are strict guidelines often restricting it to immediate family. Holly's key hope is that someone signs the organ donor register.
Emily - Live Life Then Give Life
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
Jayne, Berkshire says...
5:16pm Fri 8 Feb 08
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Holly Shaw is backing campaign for more organ donors MBB100707
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Sapphire, Bewsey says...
10:46am Fri 11 Jan 08