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Just been reading that Richard Pitman is making an altruistic kidney donation (i.e. offering one of his kidneys to the NHS to save someone who he doesn’t know) following the near-death of a close friend who was waiting for a transplant.
I have an inherited degenerative kidney disease which resulted in kidney failure and dialysis for three years (utterly awful) prior to a transplant via donation from a wonderful friend last year. I do know some fantastic people – this one saved my life.
I layed into Richard on a previous post following his chummy interview with Sam Waley-Cohen after the jockey’s deceitful excuses regarding Otage De Brion. I feel curiously guilty about it now (feel like I’ve beaten up a nun or something), although I suppose the point is still pertinent.
So good on him! I now look at him in a whole new light and will henceforth fiercely defend any ridiculous mistake he cares to make. God, I might even start a fan club…
Anyway, if you’re not on the organ donor list I would be insanely grateful if you could spend just 45 seconds of your day to save up to six people’s lives (often young children) when you’ve passed away, by clicking on the link below:
(Not bad for a Monday eh? Got up, went to work, yankee at Plumpton, saved a load of people’s lives…)
http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/registration/consent.jsp
Thank-you.
Mike
Fair play indeed – saving lives marginally more important than journalistic nous, any day of the week.
Very well done Richard indeed…….
As someone who is on dialysis and on the transplant list awaiting a new kidney I can appreciate what a special gift Richard is donating.
Blackbeard to conquer the World
That’s a nice tribute. Richard seems to generate love/hate among viewers, he’s just one of these characters. I’ve known him well for many years and you’d need to go a long way round the world to meet a kinder man. He has time for everyone and genuinely so, rather than just as part of his TV persona.
He’s very self-effacing, always said he was nothing more than journeyman who got lucky with Fred Winter (Fred Winter knew a decent jockey when he saw one, I think). Above all Richard blames himself for the defeat of Crisp in one of the most memorable Nationals in history.
Anyway, I spoke to him last week and he is very excited at being able to offer a new life to someone via kidney donation – he’s training hard, off the scotch and throwing everything at it. "They’ve told me it’s like giving birth, emotionally, at least" He said. "Huge anticipation then a bit of a low afterwards."
Richard tells me there are only 70 living kidney donors. I was astonished and it has made me think about doing it myself.
He is 68. Recovery will be three painful and tiring months. An admirable man. Next time you see him at the races, go and introduce yourself – you will be warmly welcomed.
Very well done Richard indeed…….
As someone who is on dialysis and on the transplant list awaiting a new kidney I can appreciate what a special gift Richard is donating.
I had no idea, Nathan. You are always so upbeat and up for a laugh. I admire your resolve and hope that your wait isn’t too long.
Best wishes, buddy.
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Good man.
Very well done Richard indeed…….
As someone who is on dialysis and on the transplant list awaiting a new kidney I can appreciate what a special gift Richard is donating.
Nathan, I understand what you’re going through and I very much hope a new kidney is forthcoming ASAP. I know the waiting is a nightmare but you’ve just got to hang on in there and your turn WILL arrive. Very best wishes.
He is 68. Recovery will be three painful and tiring months.
That shouldn’t be the case nowadays. It is 99% certain that he will have keyhole surgery and recovery time is quick. My donor was the same age and was home after four days and up and about after a couple of weeks. As a tourist guide, she was energetically dragging Japs around Stratford within three weeks!
Mike
Richard tells me there are only 70 living kidney donors. I was astonished and it has made me think about doing it myself.
I presume that means 70 folk prepared to donate whilst alive, rather than
post mortem
via a general ‘organ donor’ card, as surely many thousands carry these
A well done to Richard for publicising such a good cause
Very well done Richard indeed…….
As someone who is on dialysis and on the transplant list awaiting a new kidney I can appreciate what a special gift Richard is donating.
Nathan, I understand what you’re going through and I very much hope a new kidney is forthcoming ASAP. I know the waiting is a nightmare but you’ve just got to hang on in there and your turn WILL arrive. Very best wishes.
He is 68. Recovery will be three painful and tiring months.
That shouldn’t be the case nowadays. It is 99% certain that he will have keyhole surgery and recovery time is quick. My donor was the same age and was home after four days and up and about after a couple of weeks. As a tourist guide, she was energetically dragging Japs around Stratford within three weeks!
Mike
That’s good to hear Mike. I must have misunderstood. That fact should certainly prompt others to think again about registering.
Joe
Richard tells me there are only 70 living kidney donors. I was astonished and it has made me think about doing it myself.
I presume that means 70 folk prepared to donate whilst alive, rather than
post mortem
via a general ‘organ donor’ card, as surely many thousands carry these
A well done to Richard for publicising such a good cause
Drone, that did me think on such a low figure. Richard mentioned that the law changed only in 2006 to allow altruistic kidney donation and I believe the 70 figure covers that group on the basis of those who have already donated.
Joe
Richard tells me there are only 70 living kidney donors. I was astonished and it has made me think about doing it myself.
I presume that means 70 folk prepared to donate whilst alive, rather than
post mortem
via a general ‘organ donor’ card, as surely many thousands carry these
A well done to Richard for publicising such a good cause
Drone, that did me think on such a low figure. Richard mentioned that the law changed only in 2006 to allow altruistic kidney donation and I believe the 70 figure covers that group on the basis of those who have already donated.
Joe
The latest figures are:
88 people have donated purely altruistically (i.e. like Richard) since the law changed in 2006.
However, well over a thousand (like my donor) donate to a specific friend/loved one
every year
.
5000+ organs were used last year from deceased donors.
Mike
5000+ organs were used last year from deceased donors.
When you consider the number of deaths each year that is a depressingly low figure, even considering those excluded from donation by cancer deaths and the like.
I would, personally, favour an "opt out" rather than the current "opt in" system we have.
Of course, I echo the admiration for what Richard is doing, although if there were more
post mortem
donations there may not be a need for living donations.
Hopefully with advances in stem cell research it may be possible to grow replacement organs in the not too distant future, obviating the need for donor organs and solving rejection problems.
if there were more
post mortem
donations there may not be a need for living donations.
You’re not kidding Paul! 96% of British people say they would gladly accept an organ donation if they needed it.
26% are on the donor register.
Mike
Thanks for the best wishes Mr P and Betlarge. I cant complain as I’m well looked after and have huge support from family and friends……….
Blackbeard to conquer the World
I would, personally, favour an "opt out" rather than the current "opt in" system we have
Agreed, and seem to recall this being mooted by the Department of Health a while ago, though whether any progress was made or decision arrived at, I don’t know
Personally I see no difference between organ donation after death and blood donation whilst alive, and neither do my nearest and dearest
Giving a bit back when dead, and giving a bit back when alive. Public Duty both
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