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Kaylee Davidson-Olley marks 25 years with new heart | Kaylee Davidson-Olley marks 25 years with new heart |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The UK's first baby heart transplant survivor has celebrated a quarter of a century since her historic operation. | |
Kaylee Davidson-Olley, of Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, was just five months old when she had the operation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital. | Kaylee Davidson-Olley, of Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, was just five months old when she had the operation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital. |
To mark 25 years since the procedure, Ms Davidson-Olley met medical experts from around the world at Newcastle's Centre for Life. | |
She was joined by 30 other patients who got new hearts aged under a year. | |
Ms Davidson-Olley, a shop sales advisor, regularly takes part in the World Transplant Games and has spent her life campaigning to get more people on the organ donor list. | Ms Davidson-Olley, a shop sales advisor, regularly takes part in the World Transplant Games and has spent her life campaigning to get more people on the organ donor list. |
'Important decision' | 'Important decision' |
She said: "I cannot believe that I am fit and healthy 25 years after my transplant. | She said: "I cannot believe that I am fit and healthy 25 years after my transplant. |
"This was only made possible because of the generosity of a family who made that important decision about organ donation, a decision that saved my life. | "This was only made possible because of the generosity of a family who made that important decision about organ donation, a decision that saved my life. |
"Without that family discussing organ donation, I simply would not be here." | "Without that family discussing organ donation, I simply would not be here." |
In total, 112 babies aged under a year have received new hearts in the UK during the past 25 years. | In total, 112 babies aged under a year have received new hearts in the UK during the past 25 years. |
Consultant paediatric consultant Dr Richard Kirk, based at the Freeman, said that despite awareness campaigns, there was a shortage of baby hearts - two UK babies have died this year waiting for a new organs. | Consultant paediatric consultant Dr Richard Kirk, based at the Freeman, said that despite awareness campaigns, there was a shortage of baby hearts - two UK babies have died this year waiting for a new organs. |
He also said six babies were desperately ill waiting for new hearts. | He also said six babies were desperately ill waiting for new hearts. |
Dr Kirk said: "We are very proud of Kaylee and urge parents to consider organ donation, despite incredibly difficult circumstances." | Dr Kirk said: "We are very proud of Kaylee and urge parents to consider organ donation, despite incredibly difficult circumstances." |
Anthony Clarkson, assistant director for Organ Donation with NHS Blood and Transplant, said three people died in the UK every day waiting for an organ transplant. | Anthony Clarkson, assistant director for Organ Donation with NHS Blood and Transplant, said three people died in the UK every day waiting for an organ transplant. |
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