Gary Spendlove

As chairman of The Derby Royal Hospital Organ Donation Committee, I have had occasions to meet many people who have benefitted from transplant surgery. Including Diana Higman and Simon Elmore who have enjoyed Gold Medal sporting success at the world transplant games and my friend of many years, Trevor Jones who continues to coach and inspire our young generation in his role as President of Belper Meadows Cricket Club.

Last year 2017 was a really good year for transplant awareness. With very important positives:

1 An increase of 162 donors in the UK made a total of 1575.

2. There were 4035 confirmed donor transplants but we are awaiting figures that suggest, for the first time ever, over 5000 transplants were achieved in a 12 month period.

Our walk will stress the need for us all to carry a donor card and be sure to let our families know of our wishes. The ‘Walk for Life’ will genuinely give hope to many people on the waiting list for transplant surgery. By agreeing to donate your organs you may be giving the greatest gift, the gift of life. The 2017 ‘Walk for Life’ enabled Ashley, Simon and myself to visit several kidney dialysis units. We heard many stories of people travelling four or five days a week, even by public transport, to receive four hours of dialysis treatment just to stay alive.

Any funds we receive from the 2018 ‘Walk for Life’ will go towards:

1. The dialysis caravan near Caernarfon, North Wales. This enables dialysis patients the opportunity for a short vacation, spending valuable time with their families, whilst having their treatment.

2. Home dialysis support to give patients a better quality of life.

The Peak Pilgrimage is a picturesque walk through many of Derbyshires finest beauty spots. It was originated by the Eyam Team Ministry, so a big thank you to Bob Jackson and the Peak Pilgrimage team.

On route we will be staying overnight in Ilam, Thursday 28th June. Hartington, 29th June with a dance and musical evening in the Village Hall. Bakewell, 30th June with evening of musical entertainment from some of our top local entertainers at All Saints Church Hall. Tickets priced at a very modest £3.00.

All walkers and participants may be sure of a life enhancing experience and at the end of the event to be confident that we will have made a serious contribution to people needing the ‘gift of life’.

Sponsor forms and event tickets are available from Slenderella Retail, 17 Queen Street, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1NR

Please contact me on Tel: 01773 822340, mobile 07970 696486, gary@slenderella.co.uk

Diana Higman

I suffered acute liver failure in September 2008, I was given 72 hours to live.

Since this, I went on to compete in the British Transplant Games and then I was picked to go on to the World Transplant Games. I have now competed in 4 World Games and have 5 Gold medals, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze in Cycling T.T. and Road Race. With also a Silver in the 200-metre run. I am also an advocate for transplants and do talks to medical staff at the Royal Derby Hospital and to the public.

Simon Elmore

I suffered kidney failure at 33 as a result of high blood pressure. I underwent regular dialysis at the Royal Derby Hospital until my transplant in Nottingham in 2015. During this period, I also had a stroke, heart complications and many other associated health problems. After my transplant I went on to compete in international 10 pin bowling, flat bowls, archery, table tennis, cricket throw ball and relay races. At the World Transplant Games, Argentina, in July 2015, I won 2 Gold medals and achieved two personal bests. I am now an ambassador for Voluntary Independent Renal Support, which is a group for patients, friends and family living with kidney issues.

Dr Marco Giovannelli

Despite improvements in all areas of Organ Donation three people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. We need to continue to raise awareness and ask people to consider signing up to the Organ Donor Register (ODR). The gift of life can never be underestimated and we remain grateful to those, and their families, who have made the decision to donate and help others. By signing up to the ODR you could save the lives of up to 9 other people and change the lives of many others. The Royal Derby Hospital Organ Donation Committee, led by its Chair Gary Spendlove, aims to highlight this on-going need by walking from the Hospital on Thursday 28th June to Eyam over 4 days, travelling the Peak Pilgrimage.

Trevor Jones

I was called for a ‘wellman’ check in January 2014 and could tell that the Nurse was somewhat concerned by some of the results she was getting. Within 3 days I was back at RDH for tests and was diagnosed with serious kidney problems. I spent several weeks on perotanile dialysis, a procedure which I had to perform four times a day but was encouraged by everyone at the RDH to get on the ‘Transplant List’. Following tests in January 2015 I was informed by the City Hospital, Nottingham on Friday 13th February that I had been accepted onto the ‘List’. Seven days and ten hours later I get a call to say that a matching kidney has been found! Twelve hours later I am being prepared for the operation, everything goes to plan and on the same afternoon I am telephoning a friend to check on Derby County’s results. After being well looked after by the Nurses and Doctors at the Nottingham City Hospital I was discharged but told that I must attend Outpatients. I was brilliantly looked after brilliantly by the Renal Nurses for the next six/eight months until being released back to the RDH, Derby. I have check-ups every ten weeks or so at the RDH but that seems to be something of a formality now. Life isn’t perfect but it’s much better than it was in January 2014 thanks to a fantastic gift and the help of some wonderful people