Norwich woman’s organ donor campaign given a boost
A widow's campaign to encourage more people to donate their organs has been given a boost after winning the backing of a Norwich MP.
Suzie Reeves, 40, from Russet Grove in Earlham, Norwich, launched her campaign after she lost her husband Michael last summer. She had not known her husband was a donor until his death but his two kidneys have since helped save two lives.
Now, Norwich South MP Simon Wright has vowed to lobby on Mrs Reeves' behalf and has signed up to the organ donor register himself.
Mrs Reeves, who wrote a letter to Mr Wright, said: 'It's very encouraging that a member of parliament is getting involved in the campaign. The idea of the campaign is to raise awareness and save lives and I'm very pleased that this is of interest to Simon Wright.'
Mr Reeves, a tree surgeon, died from a heart attack in hospital in Cambridgeshire on August 2 last year. His kidneys have since been donated to a man and a woman who have undergone transplant operations and are now both recovering well.
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Mr Wright, left, said: 'There's a real need for more people to include themselves on the organ donor register. I've written to the health secretary to find out what measures are being put in place to encourage more organ donations and have tabled a series of parliamentary questions to get statistics of needs and the number of people on the register in Norfolk.
'On a personal note, I have signed up myself on the NHS website – it's a very simple process and I would urge everybody to give this strong consideration because this can make a real difference in saving lives.'
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According to figures from NHS Blood and Transplant, three people will die waiting for an organ transplant every day but only 28pc of us have joined the organ donor register.
Anyone who wants to join the organ donor register, should go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.
Have you got an uplifting story for the Evening News? Ring reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk
