'Party for Life': Saturday 30th June 2007

Thank you so much to everyone who supported us on Saturday at  Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, Earley, Reading. Sorry about the outfit but I felt it needed to be done. Around 300 people were present which was just fantastic and everyone really contributed enormously to what was just an amazing night. We very much hope you all enjoyed the night as much as we did. The support we received from so many people on the night was brilliant but I would also like to thank all those who supported us who were unable to be present. Many very kindly made donations too.  

In terms of the organisation for the night itself, it simply would not have been possible for us to host such an event without the help of an amazing bunch of people who worked like 'trojans' in the build up to the event and on the night, transformed the sports hall, which had been very kindly donated by Loddon Valley Leisure into a 'party'. They know who they are. In addition, our band 'Undercover' played fantastically and helped make the event so good. Boys; you were excellent.

I would also like to thank the many organisations and comapny`s from all walks of life for their kind support also. We are very grateful. It was quite a night and we can`t thank everyone enough for all their support. You were all awesome. 

£5000 raised by Sunday 4 March 2007. 

I don`t really know what to say other than thank you to everyone who has looked at our site and supported us all so far. You have all been so kind and generous and we are simply 'over the moon'. With a short while still to go and training going ok, I have raised the target a little higher for this brilliant hopsital and unit.A big hug to everyone. xx

Tilehurst Swimming Club Swimathon.

On Saturday 17 March, 50 swimmers and the coach kindly took part in a sponsored swim to raise funds for the QEH liver unit and to highlight the number of people currently awaiting an organ transplant in the UK. On this day there were 7,173 people awaiting a transplant and in just over 2 1/2 hours, the swimmers and the coach swam 7,200 lengths which equated to 112.5 miles or 5 times across the English Channel. Just awesome. One of the swimmers completed 240 lengths whilst another swam 152 lengths of butterfly which defies belief. It was just a fantastic day and the swimmers were just incredible. All very humbling. The swimathon was organised by my youngest daughter Sophie and her good friend Issy. Thanks guys. 

£7000 raised by Monday 19 March 2007.

Just 6 days to go before the day of the run and everyones support has been just amazing. What an incredible total and one I never imagined. We are just so grateful. 

Race Number 2880.

I have been very fortunate to have been given this race number which is very significant as I was the 2880th liver transplant patient at the QEH in Birmingham. My thanks go to the race organisers.

'Goodie' bag stuffing.     

 I would like to thank the race organisers for allowing me to place a leaflet produced by 'UK Transplant' on organ donation in the goodie bags for all the runners (14,500) taking part in the run on Sunday and also my 'pals' for turning up in the cold to 'stuff' bags along with the other charities and the Army. Respect!

£8,500 raised by Saturday 24 March 2007

I can hardly contain my excitement with this news. If I could do a somersault (like I used to...not!) then I would. Think I`ll go and buy some balloons to put outside my house to celebrate. This is just brilliant news ahead of the run tomorrow. With gift aid added this takes the total raised by everyone to over £10,000. You are all amazing. Hugs all around. xx

Half Marathon Day: 25 March 2007.  

What an amzing day from start to finish. It was such an emotional and highly charged day for me, my family and friends on the course, it is really tough to find the right words to describe it. Perfect! I managed to complete the run in around 2hrs 33mins but this only tells part of the story. Having literally pulled me round the course counting down times and miles, making me check my blood levels, feeding and 'watering' me and waiting during my regular loo stops, I had the audacity to cross the line ahead of Pete (with his 'papooce' full of food etc on his back), Guy and Andy. There is no justice! I found it really tough going and especially at 7 and 11 miles when I struggled 'big time'. There is no way I would have got round without their support, Tracy , Leigh-anna and Emma who were seeking more support with their buckets whilst running and the wealth of friends (two of whom were dressed as female sumos-no names but it was Lu and Tana ), family and other supporters. To everyone who has sponsored  and supported me I cannot thank you enough. This really has been an incredibly humbling and uplifting experience for us all and we know just how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful family and friends who have gone the extra mile for us during this difficult time. For me, just being on the start line was special enough and to have this opportunity, my thoughts are with my brave donor family and all the wondeful people who have helped me in hospital and at home over many years. My final thought as I approached the  stadium was for my friend Alan and his family who were with me all the way. Thanks again to everyone.  What a day. Hugs, Ian xx

    

 My name is Ian and I am the one in the middle! This photograph was taken in the High Dependency Unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) liver unit in Birmingham at the start of October 2006, just 2 days after my liver transplant. The QEH, which is part of the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, is the major liver transplant centre in the country and as such, serves the whole of the UK.   I have suffered with a rare chronic liver condition for many years. During mid September 2006 after a week of tests in the QEH liver unit, I was told I needed a transplant and placed on the ‘priority’ waiting list. Having signed my consent form, Carolyn and I left for home to pack our bags and to try and live a ‘normal’ life. Just 13 days later, I received the call we always hoped would come. In a quiet and calm voice, one of the amazing transplant co-ordinators simply asked how I was feeling and could I get to Birmingham in the next few hours. That evening I received my new liver in an operation that lasted 7 ½ hours and finished in the early hours the next day. Just amazing! I was allowed to go home 11 days after receiving my life saving transplant but 3 days later I was re-admitted with acute rejection. 12 days after that, I was home again and the rest is history!

 

 

   Organ donation can evoke so many different emotions. Some people register as a donor without a thought whilst others remain uncertain. Our lives are so busy nowadays, that registering may not simply cross your mind. It can be a tough decision. All I know is that we have all experienced an unbelievable last 12 months in particular as have so many people close to us.  We have experienced every possible emotion. Organ donation really does save and improve lives. If you are thinking about registering as a donor but have not, why not take a look at the UK Transplant web site detailed below to find out more and to read the stories about other people whose lives have changed following a transplant.

As a result of the incredible bravery of the donor family, the skill and brilliance of the surgical and medical nursing staff looking after me and the loving devotion of my family and friends, I now have the chance to see my family grow up. I will never be able to repay all those people who have enabled me to reach this point in my life. I am simply doing this run/jog/walk (perhaps) because I feel so privileged to be alive and because I owe so much to so many brave, kind and wonderful people. Words alone cannot describe how lucky I am. I simply want to do all I can to raise funds specifically for the QEH liver Trust which serves the liver unit in  many ways and to promote the vital importance of organ donation. 

I very much hope you will support and sponsor me and my team who are helping along the way.

Much love Ian xxxx

A special tribute: Over the last few years, I have been fortunate to meet some amazing people and none more so than Alan and Julie Sims. Alan was in the QEH liver unit a short while before I was called in and due to complications, Alan and Julie were still there when I left. Alan was very much my transplant 'mate' and he kept me so amused that one night I thought my scar would split. I think the nurses were selling tickets it was so funny. On another night, we even 'raced' to the toilet, Alan with his support frame and me in the slowest pigeon steps imaginable. I knew I had no chance beating him so when the 'starter gun' went off, we both went in opposite directions. Just priceless. Alan was just great even though he was very ill due to complications. His wife Julie was away from home with him every day for over 4 months. Her courage and strength was just awe inspiring. Both of them finally left hospital just before Christmas but tragically Alan passed away recently due to a problem unrelated to his liver condition. He was one of the funniest, bravest people we have ever met and we will never forget him, Julie or their children. I know Alan will be with me when I run.

www.uhbcharities.co.uk , in support of the Liver Trust

 Give the gift of life. Join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Organ Donor Line 0845 60 60 400

http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/register

 Right now more than 8,000 people in the need an organ transplant that could save or improve their life.  But each year around 400 people die while waiting for a transplant.

 If you want to help someone live after your death, sign up to the register now.  Click to find out more.

 http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/Consent.do?campaign=1401

 

 

    http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/e_letters/sign_up_now.html

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: University Hospital Birmingham Charities will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.