Organ Donation Week Starts today (22 to 28 September) and to mark it we share below the incredible stories of two of our patients, Debbie Montford and Jackie Little.
There are more than 8000 people in need of a transplant, yet in the past year more than 400 people died because they didn’t get the transplant they needed.
The NHS Organ Donor Register is the only place to record your decision about organ donation and make your choices clear. Specialist nurses for Organ Donation will only access the decision you recorded on the Register when end of life care has begun.
You can choose to donate some or all your organs and tissue, and you can amend or withdraw a registration at any time. If there is no recorded decision for you, in the UK your consent may be deemed. Deemed consent means that you have no objection to being a donor providing you have not opted out or are not in an excluded group.
If you want to be an organ donor after you die, it's really important that you talk to your loved ones and make sure they understand and support your organ donation decision.
Two minutes now can save up to nine lives. Confirm your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. (opens in a new tab)
Debbie Montford’s story
I was in Bedford from 30 June to 15 July, and transported to Addenbrooke’s to receive an urgent liver transplant for seronegative autoimmune hepatitis on 15 July, something that came out of the blue.
I wasn't sick beforehand and was holding down two jobs, full-time printed circuit boards assembler and evening cleaner at a local surgery in Sandy. The night before I became ill I was fit as a fiddle, but the next day I looked in the mirror, saw I was yellow, thought “oh my God, I can’t go to work looking like this!” and went to Bedford A&E. I didn't know what was happening to me, but I felt exhausted and was going downhill rapidly.
I owe the world to my liver consultants, Dr Patel, and the staff at Bedford Hospital for the push to Addenbrooke’s: I went from Bedford A&E, to Shuttleworth Ward, to Howard Ward, and finally Dr Patel was able to get me transferred to Addenbrooke’s. There, two days later under the care of Dr Webb, I received the amazing gift of life, and had an urgent liver transplant. If it wasn't for Dr Patel’s assessment and transfer, and Dr Webb’s care, I wouldn’t be here today.
I also got fantastic care from the Bedford team, who saw the worst as I was suffering from hepatic encephalopathy (HE) really badly that first week.
Addenbrooke’s is an amazing hospital, and the transplant staff and team are my heroes.
I was told my donor was a 45-year-old man, and while that’s all I know, I feel like I’ve known him for years - he's a part of me, I look after him every day, and I will always love him and his family for saving me through their kindness in donating his organs.
My gift of life is down to the family of a man who was loved so dearly from old life to new, I have so much love and gratitude for you all.
Addenbrooke’s consultant hepatologist, Dr Gwilym Webb, said
Addenbrooke’s is one of the leading transplant centres in the country, but we are all too familiar with the dilemma faced by families who aren’t sure of a loved one’s last wishes when it comes to organ donation. Our plea to families is to please discuss this important subject well in advance, since it can save a lot of heartache later on, and the lives of others in need.
Debbie is a perfect example of someone who has benefited from that level of forethought and generosity, and the whole transplant team are delighted that she is doing so well. We are touched by her kind words about her care here,and appreciate that she is using her personal experience to highlight the importance of organ donation.
Bedford Hospital consultant hepatologist, Dr Jay Patel, added:
We are very grateful for Mrs Montford’s kindness, with her words resonating loudly within the Hepatology team. Furthermore it has been truly wonderful to continue monitoring Mrs Montford in our Bedford-Addenbrooke’s joint liver transplant clinic, which has allowed many patients to receive holistic care that is easily accessible.
Jackie Little's story
I was first diagnosed with liver problems in 2017 and then with autoimmune hepatitis in 2020, where my immune system started attacking my liver cells. I was well-managed on medication and a fab team across both Luton and Dunstable and Addenbrookes. I found in 2023 I started to feel more tired, although some days I still felt really well. The tiredness got worse into 2024 with days when I would sleep all day. I then developed encephalopathy, a change in how my brain functioned.
I don't know how my family coped, especially my husband, son and step daughter. Their amazing effort made a massive difference to our lives. I was forgetting who people were and where I was, leaving the house then not knowing where I was going or what I’d gone for. These were scary times for my family. We had to put cameras in and outside the house so I could be checked on for my own safety.
I was put on the organ waiting list in November 2024, and was nervous and relieved all at the same time, then five months later I was called in for transplant.
Surprisingly calm, we went to Addenbrookes for the procedure. When I woke up the next day I knew I was better. My head was clear, I didn't feel confused, and my speech was clearer.
I have a new grandson that I will now see grow up with the rest of my family. I’m thankful for their support and my wider family and friends. Waiting and recovery aren't easy but are well worth it!
Words can’t describe how this has improved all of our lives. None of us take anything for granted anymore, and we are all more grateful for the small things. It makes you realise what’s really important.
The teams at Luton and Addenbrookes were fabulous, I and my family were so well looked after. We will be eternally grateful to my donor and their family. Its so important to be on the organ donor register as it gives people like me their life back.
Jackie Little
Addenbrooke’s consultant hepatologist, Dr Gwilym Webb, treated Jackie at his clinic. He said:
It is good to see Jackie doing so well and we thank her for her kind comments about her treatment, and for supporting National Organ Donation Week. It raises such importance awareness of the need for more donors, and how crucial it is that they share their wishes with their families in a timely way
Dr Gwilym Webb