Dr Luke Yates, trustee of the organ donation charity Live Life Give Life, introduces the work of the charity and the exciting new partnership with QUOD
Live Life Give Life is a small UK charity that raises awareness of organ donation and the transformative power of transplantation. We are run by volunteers, who are all affected personally by organ donation and from all perspectives of the transplant journey – as recipients, donors, and survivors of those lost waiting. One of our prime objectives is to encourage people to talk about organ donation with their families. Our work is carried out via awareness campaigns, events and activities, and initiatives such as The Orgamites characters, which have been created to help young children understand organ donation. We also fund small research projects that aim to improve the welfare of (and outcome for) patients who need transplants, and travel fellowships to foster collaborative research for early career researchers.
Live Life Give Life was founded in 2006 by Emily Thackray and Emma Harris both afflicted by cystic fibrosis (CF). The two young women had lost many friends to CF and, at the time, Emily was on the waiting list for a life-saving lung transplant. The shortage of organs and donors inspired Emily and Emma to create a T-shirt campaign to raise awareness and encourage people to sign the organ donor register. Live Life then Give Life was their slogan and their fledgling charity; and went on to attain charity status in 2008. Emily received a transplant is 2007, and a further transplant in 2014, but tragically passed soon after. Emma also received a transplant and continued to fundraise and raise awareness for the cause but very sadly passed away early this year.
In a new project, Live Life Give Life is partnering with QUOD to develop a unique pump-prime funding opportunity to aid transplant researchers utilise this fantastic biobank resource. Watch this space – further details of the grant and how to apply coming soon!
Website: livelifegivelife.org.uk X: twitter.com/lltgl
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