Thank you for life Prof. Andrew Burroughs FRCP FMedSci Consultant Physician and Hepatologist Professor of Hepatology Linda Selves MSc RGN Senior Liver Transplant Co-ordinator The Royal Free Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre Royal Free Hospital & University College Medical School

WHERE DOES THE IDEA FOR THE BOOK COME FROM We are involved with recipients of liver transplantation Success in recipients can be “Lazarus” like We always have felt that “Transplantation” is fantastic Medicine Who makes it possible – Donors !! Donors deserve remembrance recognition celebration

WHY USE RECIPIENT LETTERS TO DONORS AND FAMILIES? Express a personal “thank you” that could be generalised ……..not all families of donors receive letters……….. Gives a fantastic picture of the results of transplantation from the recipients and not the health professionals We know how powerful these letters are Not been done before, as a collection of letters in a book

WHY THE BOOK? Tangible object which is permanent beyond the various meetings, “transplant/donor” days/weeks and special campaigns Educational tool general public targeted areas – GP surgeries, hospital outpatients schools, places of worship Facilitate decision on donation ITU relatives’ rooms use by donor co-ordinators Thank-you to donors and families in recognition of the donation

HOW WAS IT DONE? Linda Selves had letters photocopied in case they were lost in transit to donor families recipient and donor coordinator contacts obtained recipient and donor family consent to publish letters DH Limited grant – Chris Rudge, Claire Mills NHBST independently had a wish for such a book Gavin Evans, Sally Johnson RCP London Sir Ian Gilmore, Sir Richard Thompson (PRCPs) Susanne Fuzzey, James Partridge – Publications Department

HOW WAS DONE? Barbara Chandler transcribed letters Jennie Jewitt-Harris and Victoria Lush photography Helen Eccles abstract painting based on version of Duccio’s scenes in “Maestà” – The Annunciation

THE LAUNCH OF THE BOOK 9 November 2010 RCP London Anne Milton MP, Undersecretary for Health DH, NHSBT, RCP, Donor organizations, recipient representatives The painting!

EXCERPTS FROM “Thank you for life”

Susan – liver transplant recipient, suffered with liver disease from age 11

Diana – Heart and lung recipient who can now walk to post a letter

Steve – liver transplant recipient Now working and supporting his family

Sarah, sister of Mark kidney transplant recipient at 14

Aislinn – liver transplant recipient who married just before her transplant

Diane –liver transplant recipient who became a grandmother 14 years after her transplant

Lloyd whose sister was an organ donor when she died

Where does the book go next Ideas welcome Assess if useful to donor coordinators/donation committees Sell it !! – “tell the stories” non-profit sales – money goes to print more books see if any national bookseller wants a close association Get recipients to promote it – “buy two, give one” Transform it with multi-media documentary film, YouTube, video clip, etc radio broadcasts adverts

WHAT COULD BE NEXT A national remembrance, recognition and celebration of donors and their families … a monument …

The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square ?

WHAT NEXT The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square “Unknown Heroes” is the theme for Trafalgar Square Donors (and their families) are 21st Century heroes No issue of age, gender, social status, ethnicity or faith Universal message of successful human endeavour

THE FOURTH PLINTH – WHERE ARE WE NOW? Anne Milton MP, feels it is a good idea and worth pursuing She has contacted Boris Johnson ……however for 2012, 2013, plans already made……….. Not clear if plinth available even after 2013 ……may need you to subscribe to a petition…….. Money can be raised via recipients and the health professions It could be unique if the UK is the first to place such a monument in the heart of a national public space

THE RECIPIENTS TELL US in“Thank You for Life” Transplantation is about People not Organs

THE STORIES TELL US in “Thank You for Life” Donation is about People not Organs