And someone who knows the difference organ donation makes to someone who needs a transplant is Hannah Logue. She was only a baby when she fell seriously ill with liver failure. At just six weeks old, her parents were told she had biliary atresia, a condition where the bile ducts don’t develop properly. A Kasai operation to try and fix the problem was sadly unsuccessful.
At a few months old Hannah was listed for an urgent liver transplant, being placed at the top of the list because she was in a life-threatening condition. A donor became available just in time to save her life.
Hannah has gone on to become a doctor, inspired by her donor and because she wanted to give back to NHS. She is leading a full and happy life, getting married last year and recently celebrating the 30th anniversary of her liver transplant.
Hannah, aged 30, from Prestwich, says: “When I was born nothing seemed to be wrong, my parents thought I was happy and healthy.
“When my mum took me to my six week check, the GP wasn’t happy with my colour and tests showed I had biliary atresia. At nine weeks old I had my Kasai but a month later it was clear it hadn’t worked.
“They asked my mum and dad if they wanted me to be made comfortable and I might last 18 months or I could be listed for a transplant, which I was at 4 months old. My condition was deteriorating and in January 1993 I was very unwell and was admitted to hospital and was put on the top of the transplant list because I was so sick.
“My mum and dad thought I was going to die, it was horrendous for them. They were sitting by my bedside, watching and helpless. Less than a month later I got a call and had a partial liver transplant, as the liver regenerates.
“My mum said straightaway she couldn’t believe the colour of me, I was so pink. I was very lucky and I have honestly been so well ever since. They are so eternally grateful to my donor. It’s difficult for me as it’s so abstract, I was so young when it happened and I have been so well my whole life. It’s hard to believe it happened to me. I thank my donor for my life. It’s emotional and I can’t really put it into words.
“It’s inspired me and is the reason I am a doctor. I wanted to give back, from a young age I wanted to be a doctor and actress so thought I’d be in Casualty! Then I did a degree in Physiology then medicine and graduated as a doctor in 2019. Everyone in the NHS has always been amazing in looking after me and my parents have talked so highly of all the clinicians. I wanted to emulate that and be part of this amazing service, that saved my life. What better way than to dedicate my life to the NHS, I am giving back and saving some lives myself.
“I couldn’t be a transplant surgeon, it’s not for me, but as an obstetrician there are surgical elements and it is very rewarding and challenging. I am passionate about women’s health and delivering babies is amazing. I’ve lost count of the number I have delivered, it is a privilege.
“Thanks to my donor I have led a normal life, I have been to uni twice, completed medical school, I got married last year and I’ve been able to travel the world. I have completed half marathons and am not sure about a full marathon but I’ll see!
“Organ donation is so important, people must have those conversations. People think you don’t need to do anything, but you do, join the register and talk to your family.
“What are you going to do with your organs? Bury them, cremate them, why would you want to take them to you? Look at me, you can put them to good use, thousands of people need a transplant.”
Hannah is married to Matthew. She was born in Bury and treated in Manchester and Birmingham hospitals before moving to Glasgow at the age of one. Hannah moved back to Manchester in 2022 and works as an obstetrician atBlackpool Victoria Hospital.
Thanks to incredible organ donors and their families thousands of lives are saved each year however around 7,000 people are still waiting for their transplant, including 324 people in Greater Manchester.
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to make sure their family, who will always be involved if organ donation is a possibility, know what they want so they can support their decision to save lives. By adding your name and decision to the register, your family will be in no doubt.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “You could be a lifesaver, which is an amazing legacy to leave – organ donation saves lives.
“Families will always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead and are more likely to support your decision if they know it is what you wanted.
“Please add your name and decision to the NHS Organ Donor Register to help save more lives. It takes just two minutes to sign up to be a lifesaver, online or using the NHS App.”
Search organ donation online, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or use the NHS App.
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