Brave Jessica loses fight for life after double lung transplant
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by Martin Jefferies
An inspirational Kent woman has died - just weeks after getting a
vital double lung transplant she had wanted for years.
Cystic fibrosis sufferer Jessica Wales died in hospital
yesterday (Tuesday), less than three weeks after a suitable donor
was found.
Doctors had been pleased with her progress following an
operation on December 28. The 20-year-old was breathing by herself
until Saturday (January 9), when her condition deteriorated and she
was placed on a ventilator.
Jess, who lived in Linksfield Road, Westage-on-Sea, had an
incredible past 12 months - the highlight of which was the ‘Save
Jess-tival’ organ donor awareness gig in October that was supported
by Australian pop superstar Natalie Imbruglia.
Dozens of celebrities, including the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah
Brown, chat show host Jonathan Ross and Formula 1 racing star
Rubens Barrichello also backed her struggle to survive on the
social networking website Twitter.
Jess had been waiting for a suitable lung transplant since 2005
and had proved herself to be a real fighter by outliving a
terrifying initial prognosis of just two years.
As an advocate for the transplant charity Live Life Then Give
Life (LLTGL), she tirelessly appealed for people to join the NHS
Organ Donor Register. An appearance on Noel’s HQ on Sky 1 motivated
more than 2,000 people to join the list in a single evening.
- Of the 8,000 Britons on transplant lists, three will die every
day waiting for a suitable donor, according to LLTGL.
Around a quarter of the UK population will help others after their
death by donating organs. To join the Organ Donor Register, visit
www.uktransplant.org.uk or
phone 0300 123 2323.
- To pay tribute to Jessica, click on the Make a Comment tab
below.
Wednesday, January 13 2010
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