A Man Who Owes His Life To An Organ Transplant Has Launched A Campaign To Encourage More Donors

Robin Shaw celebrates two birthdays every year - his real one and one on the day he received his new heart.

The 64-year-old is eternally grateful for the gift of life from a male donor 11 years ago.

And he was in George Square to launch a campaign urging more people to sign up as donors.

The retired electrical engineer and father-of-three is one of the lucky ones - there are currently 162 people in Glasgow waiting for organs which could save or dramatically improve their lives.

Robin from Kirkintilloch, East Dunbarton- shire, admits it is strange having a piece of someone else's body inside his chest.

But the incredible feeling of well-being he's experienced since his operation far outweighs any doubts he may have had about the procedure which helped save his life.

Although more than 20% of Scots are on the organ donor register, the numbers on the transplant waiting list are increasing.

M>ore than 5000 people are still waiting for a transplant and almost 400 die every year while waiting for a donor.

There is still a worrying increase in refusal rates among relatives and a Scottish Executive campaign aims to address this by urging people to make their wishes known to loved ones.

Jane Lockhart, a donor transplant co-ordinator at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said: "Many people are under the impression that by simply having a donor card they will automatically become organ donors in the event of their death.

"However, if a person's loved ones are aware of how they feel then their wishes are far more likely to be carried out."

People who want to become donors should visit www.uktransplant.org.uk or call 0845 60 60 400.

Copyright © 2004 Online Evening Times.

This article posted March 27, 2004.