Why we need to educate people about Organ Donation | Az’s Blog

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Yesterday I got talking to an old boy in a pub (he’s 91!) and we chatted about several things but one thing he said got my back up a little. He asked about my wife (after seeing my wedding ring) and I told him about Donna and that she had died waiting for a transplant. I explained that she had already received two and was waiting for her third. His response was “well, just goes to show that we shouldn’t play god!” To which I explained that, whether you believe in god or mother nature, we are designed to do exactly what we do and that is to be inquisitive, learn, adapt and try things out. Its in our nature to do these things!

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Donna’s Dream is setting its sights on Charity Status!

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On July 14th 2010 I set Donna’s Dream up as a campaign for more organ donors in memory of my wife Donna who sadly past away 12 days earlier waiting for her third heart transplant. The campaign included a petition for an opt out organ donor register which generated a lot of signatures and a lot of press.

18 months on and the opt out campaign is heading to deadline in Wales and they are now campaigning in Scotland. Richard Branson has also vented his interest in opt out within the UK which leads me to believe that he may start his own campaign soon.

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Leah Biggs | Third time lucky with a little help from two kinds of Heroes

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To donor families and all potential donor families

Where to start… 29th June 1988 sounds like a good place.

On the 29th June 1988 at The Countess of Chester Hospital,  a new bundle of joy was born to Janis and Michael Harrison. Unfortunately before the parents had chance to meet their new baby girl, nurses whisked her way. It was a nerve wracking time for the couple as they were told doctors had been called and tests were being conducted on their baby girl, whom they came to name Leah.

Eventually senior doctors  summoned the couple into a room and proceeded to shatter  their dreams. The test results had shown Leah to have a left ventricle diverticulum. A rare condition affecting the heart muscle, causing it to sag and create an excess pouch causing the heart not to function properly. This tiny helpless baby only a few hours old was given just two months to live.

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Donna’s Story written by Az

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Donna MansellThis isn’t the full story of Donna’s Transplant history. Its not even a fraction, but this is my account of the time i spent with someone who would go on to change my life, my future and bring hope to many people who desperately wait for a life changing or saving transplant.

This is Donna Mansell’s story.

Written by me, her husband Az.

Its May 2008. I’ve been working 7 days a week, 10 hours a day running a kitchen for a local pub. All my kitchen staff had left due to arguments with the manager which left me to do all day everyday on my own. I was tired, miserable and a lot of the time lonely. Along came Mike. He had applied for kitchen work a few times but his phone number got lost in the myriad of notes and invoices on the notice board at work. This particular time he decided to walk in, a pushy move which worked for him. I liked his attitude and his perseverance and i thought enough was enough working on my own. We took him on and started him that week.
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Christy Millar – Six years and still on Dialysis

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Christy sent me her story earlier on this week and it goes to show how long some people have to wait until they get a transplant. I do hope Christy’s call comes soon… Az x


Christy Millar Kidney PatientMy name is Christy Millar and I am a 26 year old dialysis patient. I have been on dialysis for nearly six years, as a result of a burst appendix in 2006 which caused multiple organ failure due to septacaemia and peritonitis (ie. blood poisoning). I had just finished my first degree literally the week before. I was hospitalised initially for six months where I spent much of that in a coma in intensive care.

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Last chance to grab some signed christmas gifts for the Bristol Childrens Hospital

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Hi Guys!

You really havent got long if you want bid for some awesome signed Christmas gifts in the CHD-UK Charity Auction.

All proceeds go the the Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal who help to provide comforts and facilities for patients and their families whilst in Bristol Childrens hospital.

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Chris Cooke – Practically wears his HEART on his sleeve

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This story is one ive been waiting for for a while now!

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris when Donna was still around and only really knew about him what she had told me and what i learned that day. Im so glad he took the time to write and share his story of waiting for a transplant. Enjoy..

Az :)

I can’t begin to express how many times I’ve put off writing this story, it has been a long time coming and I guess my main excuse, and you could say fear, is that I feel my story isn’t quite finished yet, but then again when is anyone’s? Given the amount of attention Organ Donation has been given in recent weeks I think it’s probably time for me to knuckle down and write it, it’s also the least I can do for the amazing people who represent Donna’s Dream. I do actually like to do my own bit of writing but it’s of the fictional variety, so you must understand this is all pretty new to me, but I thank you very much for taking the time to read this.

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