Hands joined to raise cash for kidney patientsCAROLINE CULOT
29 March 2008 10:32
More than 150 people joined hands in the rain yesterday at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to raise money for renal dialysis patients - and to spread the word that transplants save lives.
As previously reported by the EDP, a challenge was set for people to hold hands in a circle around the hospital building. However, there were not enough people to do this yesterday so those who did attend in the awful weather formed a line across the front of the hospital's main Arthur South entrance instead.
The event managed to raise £1435.31 in just a couple of hours at the hospital with collection buckets as well as some donations sent in the post following the EDP's report. Last night donations were still coming in.
Organiser Penny Mann, a patient transport driver who ferries people to and from the hospital for dialysis, organised the event in memory of a dialysis patient, Derek Reeve, who died on his way to hospital recently. She also wanted to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.
“I am just so pleased to have raised this much money,” she said yesterday. “More is still coming in which is just great for the dialysis patients who will be able to have a treat.”
The money raised will go towards the Jack Pryor patients who have to endure going to hospital at least three times a week for what is sometimes painful dialysis taking three and a half-four hours a time.
Jo Redfarn, a regional donor transplant coordinator based at Addenbrooke's Hospital, said: “Ninety pc of the population is in agreement with organ donation and yet 40 pc of relatives of people who have died still refuse to have the organs donated. The most common reason people give is that they didn't know the wishes of the relative who has died and there are also a lot of misconceptions.”
# To register as a donor you can ring the NHS organ donor line on 0845 60 60 400 or do it online by visiting
www.uktransplant.org.uk You need to do register even if you have a donor card which may get lost, damaged or not be with you in the event of your death.
# If you would like to make a donation to the Jack Pryor unit dialysis patients appeal, contact Penny Mann on 0794 860 6382 or email c.mann637@ntlworld.com
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED29%20Mar%202008%2010%3A32%3A33%3A620PHOTO: Patients, staff and visitors help to raise cash for renal dialysis patients at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
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