A bloody long wait

[okarol]

A bloody long wait

VESNA ANDRIC
3/07/2008 3:29:00 PM

After five years of pumping every drop of blood in her body through a machine Lorretta Flannery is calling for greater public support of organ donation.

Mrs Flannery of Narooma has been on the waiting list for a kidney transplant for nearly five years.

“You’re not really living you’re just existing until you can get a kidney,” Mrs Flannery said.

Diagnosed with analgesic nephropathy 30 years ago she managed her illness until five years ago when her condition worsened.

To stay alive she must now use a dialysis machine three times a week.

“In the four hours that I am on dialysis it takes my blood out six times and cleans it, through a machine that works like an artificial kidney, it’s not a great way to live,” she said.

The hardship of her condition has also impacted on her family. As the dialysis procedure requires supervision her son is unable to work as he cares for his mother.

“You have to have someone with you because you can have a stroke, a heart attack or a cannula can come out and you can bleed to death,” Mrs Flannery said.

Mrs Flannery is sharing her story in the hope more people will consent to donate their organs.

“Doctors have told me one person can save the lives of seven people.”

“Please don’t bury your organs, people will be eternally grateful and I am just one of them,” she said.

People who wish to donate their organs can apply for a consent form at Medicare.

Mrs Flannery said those who have agreed to organ donation on their licenses must organize a consent form as relatives can oppose the donation.

An advocate for organ donation and director of Kidney Health Australia Dr Tim Mathew said the need for organ donors is great.

“Today there are about 1400 people waiting for a new kidney,” Dr Mathew said.

“We strongly encourage everybody to register on the Australian organ Donor Register by filling in a form from Medicare or from the site online,” he said.

For more information call the Australian Organ Donor Register on 1800 777 203 or visit www.hic.gov.au

http://narooma.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/a-bloody-long-wait/803474.aspx