Transplant patient to take plunge

TRANSPLANT patient Madge Alston is taking the plunge to help others waiting for donors.

She had a liver transplant two years ago, and is now fighting fit.

Now Madge has pledged to swim 40 lengths of the pool and exercise at Clarice House, Bramford, as part of a "swim and gym" event in aid of the Addenbrooke's Liver Transplant Association – which supports those waiting for transplants and others who have had one.

The swim and gym will be held from February 25 to 28, and anyone may use the facilities during that time if they give a £20 donation to ALTA first.

Madge, from Claydon, said: "Some of the money will be used to help with the expenses of liver transplantees who are competing for Great Britain in the world and UK Transplant Games, to be held soon at Loughborough.

"They will be competing with athletes from all over the world who, like them, have had liver, heart or kidney transplants.

"Our athletes have a very good record in these competitions and it is an example of the skills of doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff at Addenbrooke's Liver Transplant Unit.

"Their achievements highlight the hope and happiness that the work of the transplant unit brings, but also serves to remind recipients and their families what a debt they owe the donors.

"One very important purpose of this fund is to remind the public why it is crucial that more and more people carry donor cards. I will certainly be handing them out at Clarice House."

She added: "I didn't really have to wait long for a transplant – six months when it became urgent.

"But the Alder Hey organs scandal totally put people off the idea of being a donor, and there are wardfuls of children who have been waiting a very long time for a transplant to make them well again.

"It's only because there aren't enough donors that they have to wait."

Weblink: www.addenbrookes.org.uk/serv/clin/surg/transplant1.html