A woman from Kings Bromley who suffered from a kidney condition which claimed the lives of five of her family members, has urged people to talk to their loved ones about their wishes for organ donations after a donor saved her life.
Jo Hopkins, 59, was on the transplant list for a new kidney for four years before getting the call to go into hospital. It began four years of turmoil for her whole family, and saw her in hospital every few days for dialysis, and unable to do many of the things she loved.
She has shared her story in the hope of encouraging people to opt in to the lifesaving gesture, after figures revealed patients in need of a new organ missed out on 460 potential transplants last year because families, unsure of their relatives' wishes, declined to donate.
Jo has a genetic condition which had already claimed the lives of five of her relatives, but 10 years ago, she got the call she had been waiting for and it changed her life. Doctors had found her the kidney donor she so desperately needed.
Jo, who has gone on to become a gold medallist since the transplant, said it was "tragic" that lives were being lost needlessly and says people need to find the courage to talk about it openly.
She said: "Having lost my grandfather, two uncles and an aunt, and my father to this same condition, I fully realise that without the selfless generosity of my donor and his family, my life and that of my husband, children and family and friends would be very different, if indeed I would still be here. It is vital to let your loved ones know if you have registered on the organ donor list and that this is your wish.
"It is a difficult conversation as no-one wants to talk about their own mortality, but it would save loved ones being put in a difficult situation at a sad and difficult time, so perhaps makes that a little easier for them.
"I am forever grateful that I am still here and healthy thanks to my wonderful donor who had had that conversation with his daughter and mother and I know through speaking with the family that they have had comfort from knowing just how much it means to me and my family.
"Me and all the people I know who have been lucky enough to receive lifesaving transplants remember our donors and their families and work very hard to make them proud of our achievements which could not have happened without their generosity.
"I know most, if not all, people would accept a transplant if they or a loved one needed it so I'm sure the majority are not against it. I can only think that it is just not something people get round to doing and then if they do they find it hard to discuss."
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said that three families a week in the UK were saying no to organ donation because they do not know whether their relatives would have wanted to donate an organ or not.
The organisation said that when families are left to make such a decision on their loved one's behalf, some decide it is safer to say no.
The reluctance to talk about the organ donation issue is contributing to a deadly shortage of organs, with 457 people dying while on the active transplant waiting list and a further 875 people removed from the list, mainly due to ill health, last year. Many will have died shortly after being removed from that list.
Jo, who is raising awareness as part of Organ Donation Week, which takes place from Monday, September 4 until Sunday, September 10, said she has been able to "live life to the full" since the transplant, watching her family grow up.
She has also become a gold medallist after taking up archery and javelin and competing at the World Transplant Games in Argentina.
She said: "Just being here is incredible and as I am now enjoying the eleventh year since my transplant, I never take it for granted and never forget my donor and his family who are heroes to me. I attended the British Transplant Games in Scotland this year and won a gold medal in archery.
"I wish more people could see the amazing results of transplantation and the sheer joy of life and immense gratitude of all the participants who range in age from just two to 80. I am sure it would help encourage more people to sign up.
"I am so grateful to my donor, I think of him often and the difference he has made to me and my family. It was the most wonderful gift and no words I can use can express how thankful I am to him and his family.
"Most of us would certainly consider receiving an organ if in need, so it is only right to consider donating too if the worst should happen. It can be a huge comfort to families if they know their loved one's organs have saved a life."
