LLTGL Ambassador Victoria Tremlett is 23 years old. She's beautiful, clever, passionate and ambitious, but her life is currently on hold whilst she waits and hopes for a double lung transplant.
Tor has been waiting for over three and a half years now, and so knows her time is running out fast. She has decided to make a Christmas Wish, and we need you to help it come true. Please read what this incredible lady has to say and spread the word.
"My name is Tor and I'm 23 years old, however unlike most 23 year olds I am waiting for a double lung transplant to save my life. When I was put on the transplant waiting list I was told I had 18months to live, I have now been waiting 3 and 1/2 years, and it doesn't take much to see I am living on borrowed time.
I use oxygen 24/7 to support my failing lungs, a wheelchair to leave the house, the majority of my day is dedicated to medical treatment just to try and keep me stable. The smallest tasks like getting dressed, combing my hair and brushing my teeth leave me absolutely exhausted and my mum has to help me with everything.
My Christmas wish would ultimately be to get the transplant I so desperately need, but due to the shortage of donors, this may not happen. Without a transplant this could be my last Christmas, and so this December, I want to get at least 5000 people to sign the organ donor register, in the hope of saving lives.
50% of people waiting for lungs will die purely because not enough people have signed up to donate after their death. Each of us has the power to change this statistic. I don't know if my call will come but by signing up you will create chances for so many people facing a death sentence.
Please help me achieve my Christmas wish and give me hope, a future and the chance to see next Christmas.
Thank you."
What you can do:
- Sign up! It's quick and simple, just go to http://tinyurl.com/torsxmaswish
- Be proud about the fact you've signed up! Let people know, especially your next of kin.
- Pass the message on. We'd love to help her see 5000 new names on the Organ Donor Register by January 1st but we need you to help spread the word about Tor's Christmas Wish.
On behalf of Tor and everyone else waiting, thank you for your support. It literally could save lives.
3 comments:
Hi Tor,
I've seen your blog a couple of times and your story touches my heart. My two oldest friends (brother and sister) both have CF. She is not so bad, and particularly lucky given that she's 25. He's 21 but a lot worse and is often taking himself off to A&E with chest pains and shortness of breath. They are certainly nowhere near as ill as you currently are, but it puts things into perspective.
With regards to Organ Donation - I find this a bit of a grey area. As Cabin Crew, I have been told on numerous times that I can't give blood or donate my organs. However some people say that I can - do you have any idea if there is any guidance anywhere regarding organ donation?
Anyway, I hope you have a peaceful and comfortable Christmas, and I really hope that 2011 brings you what you wish for.
Vickie
Hi Vickie,
Thank you for your message. In regards to organ donation, the rules are very different from donating blood. In fact the only two conditions which catagorically rule out organ donation are CJD and HIV. If in any doubt, it's always better to sign the register as if the situation ever arose, the team would run the appropriate tests to confirm whether the organs were suitable for donation.
You can find more information on our website here: http://www.lltgl.org.uk/facts_and_info/
Wishing you and your family all the very best for 2011.
Emily, LLTGL.
Excellent cause. I really do hope that you get your lung transplant and all the people signing up will help loads of people across the country. It must be a weird situation to be in, hoping someone dies so that you can live. You are very brave as it must be extremely difficult. If there is anything that I can do to help, other than signing up, please let me know.
This is proof that organ donation should be an opt out cause, rather than an opt in and there needs to be a real debate on this, sooner rather than later.
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