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'Transplant tourist' defends trip 'Transplant tourist' defends trip
(about 12 hours later)
A kidney patient who travelled to the Philippines to search for a live donor has defended his decision to become a so-called "transplant tourist".A kidney patient who travelled to the Philippines to search for a live donor has defended his decision to become a so-called "transplant tourist".
Father-of-two Mark Schofield, 44, from Porthcawl, was followed by BBC Wales' Week in Week Out team on his journey.Father-of-two Mark Schofield, 44, from Porthcawl, was followed by BBC Wales' Week in Week Out team on his journey.
The ex-European surfing champion said a shortage of UK organ donors forced him to try to buy a new kidney abroad.The ex-European surfing champion said a shortage of UK organ donors forced him to try to buy a new kidney abroad.
But despite travelling to Asia, he was told the donor organ he had hoped to use was not compatible.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said one person a day in Britain died while waiting for a transplant.The British Medical Association (BMA) said one person a day in Britain died while waiting for a transplant.
The BMA has been campaigning for better ways to encourage more organ donors, and is supporting a switch to "presumed consent".The BMA has been campaigning for better ways to encourage more organ donors, and is supporting a switch to "presumed consent".
That would mean everyone over the age of 16 would be taken to be a donor, unless they opted out.That would mean everyone over the age of 16 would be taken to be a donor, unless they opted out.
Mr Schofield took the decision to travel to the Philippines after spending four-and-a-half years on the UK waiting list.Mr Schofield took the decision to travel to the Philippines after spending four-and-a-half years on the UK waiting list.
He feared that without a new kidney he would not live long enough to see his children George, 16, and Jessica, 13, grow up.He feared that without a new kidney he would not live long enough to see his children George, 16, and Jessica, 13, grow up.
I'm not prepared to sit down, lie down and play dead Mark SchofieldI'm not prepared to sit down, lie down and play dead Mark Schofield
He knew he would be arrested if he tried to buy a kidney in the UK, but said he also expected criticism from some who believed it was morally wrong to buy and sell human organs.He knew he would be arrested if he tried to buy a kidney in the UK, but said he also expected criticism from some who believed it was morally wrong to buy and sell human organs.
"If I could buy one in this country I would buy one in this country. We've decided it's wrong - so I've got to go somewhere else," he said."If I could buy one in this country I would buy one in this country. We've decided it's wrong - so I've got to go somewhere else," he said.
"You stick to your moral argument, but I'm not prepared to sit down, lie down and play dead.""You stick to your moral argument, but I'm not prepared to sit down, lie down and play dead."
There are currently 6,500 patients waiting for kidney transplants in Britain, with about 400 in Wales.There are currently 6,500 patients waiting for kidney transplants in Britain, with about 400 in Wales.
Mr Schofield, who is looking for a second transplant, found a surgeon in Manila who was confident he could locate the right donor.Mr Schofield, who is looking for a second transplant, found a surgeon in Manila who was confident he could locate the right donor.
A transplant in the Philippines costs about £40,000, whether the operation is successful or not. But Mr Schofield and his wife Jayne said they believed it was a price worth paying.A transplant in the Philippines costs about £40,000, whether the operation is successful or not. But Mr Schofield and his wife Jayne said they believed it was a price worth paying.
Mr Schofield's wife Jayne, a nurse, supported him on his trip to Manila.Mr Schofield's wife Jayne, a nurse, supported him on his trip to Manila.
Mrs Schofield said: "I've got mixed feelings, really. However, the couple's journey ended in disappointment after Mr Schofield was told by doctors the donor organ was not compatible.
"Morally, I thinks it's wrong to pay for anything, but if you put yourself in Mark's shoes, and there is no other option." He was forced to return to a life on dialysis in the UK.
It was co-ordinated through a Philippines government-backed scheme which promises long-term economic support and medical care for donors. But he insisted: "I am going to get it. One day, even if I'm 75-years-old, I will have a transplant. I will live without dialysis at some point before I die. I will promise you that."
The couple's journey was co-ordinated through a Philippines government-backed scheme which promises long-term economic support and medical care for donors.
It is aimed at stamping out a black market in human organs.It is aimed at stamping out a black market in human organs.
The Week In Week Out team travelled to Baseco, a place known locally as "No Kidney Island" because so many adults there have sold their kidneys in a bid to escape poverty.The Week In Week Out team travelled to Baseco, a place known locally as "No Kidney Island" because so many adults there have sold their kidneys in a bid to escape poverty.
The programme discovered some had undergone the surgery for as little as £1,000, and an organ broker admitted lying to hospital officials about the donors she recruited.The programme discovered some had undergone the surgery for as little as £1,000, and an organ broker admitted lying to hospital officials about the donors she recruited.
Last month, the Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart announced a consultation document on the issue of presumed organ consent in Wales.Last month, the Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart announced a consultation document on the issue of presumed organ consent in Wales.
The result of Mr Schofield's quest for an organ donor is revealed in Week In Week Out on Monday on BBC One Wales at 2030 GMT. A specially extended version of the programme is on Tuesday on BBC 2W at 1900 GMT. Organ donation is also the focus of BBC Radio Wales' Eye on Wales on Monday at 1830 GMT. A specially extended version of the Week In Week Out is on Tuesday on BBC 2W at 1900 GMT.