Organ Donation Awareness Week 2024: Two Inspirational Voices Share Their Journey of Hope
As Organ Donation Awareness Week 2024 kicks off, a remarkable collaboration between Kidney Wales, Daring to Dream, and Lupus UK is shining a spotlight on two extraordinary individuals and the life-changing impact of organ donation.
Carla Williams, a Kidney Wales ambassador, and Khiry Hopkins-Jones, an ambassador for Lupus UK, have come together to share their powerful stories in a heartfelt conversation that seeks to inspire, educate, and encourage others to consider the life-saving gift of organ donation.
Carla and Khiry’s medical journeys have been anything but easy. Both have faced the daunting challenges of kidney failure, dialysis, and eventually, organ transplants. These experiences, while physically and emotionally exhausting, have ultimately led them to the same profound realisation: the gift of a kidney transplant has given them the “gift of living again.”
The conversation between Carla and Khiry brings together the often misunderstood and “invisible” illnesses of kidney disease and lupus. Kidney disease, though affecting thousands, remains largely invisible to the public, despite its severe impact on health. Similarly, lupus, an autoimmune condition, is not well understood and can be difficult to diagnose. In many cases, kidney disease is the first indicator that leads clinicians to investigate for lupus, making these two conditions deeply intertwined.
In Wales, the need for organ donation has never been more urgent.
Over 210 people are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant in Wales, and across the UK, that number rises to more than 6,000. With this figure of over 210 people in Wales awaiting a kidney transplant accompanied by the average wait for a kidney in Wales being two to three years, immense strain and worry can be placed upon on patients and their families.
By sharing their stories, Carla and Khiry hope to encourage more people to consider organ donation, especially kidney donation, which can be life-saving for many. Their candid conversation is not only about survival but also about the emotional resilience and hope that comes with receiving the “gift of life.”
“Our sincere thanks go to Carla and Khiry for their courage in sharing their lived experiences,” said Ross Evans, MD for Kidney Wales. “Their powerful stories highlight the importance of organ donation in Wales and truly highlight what an extraordinary gift organ donation is Now more than ever it is important that we raise awareness of kidney donation and make it easier to talk about it.”
As Organ Donation Awareness Week 2024 continues, let Carla and Khiry’s message serve as a reminder of the life-saving potential we all carry. Consider the impact of organ donation, and how it could bring hope and life to those still waiting.
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*Statistics provided by NHSBT.
