WARRINGTON student Holly Shaw, who received a life-saving kidney transplant, is working to raise awareness of organ donation.
Holly, 21, (pictured) who studies Early Childhood Studies at the University of Chester’s Warrington campus, wants to help others needing treatment.
She organised a national Donor Day as part of her campaign, The Gift of Life, to encourage more people to join the Organ Donor Register. She staffed a donor desk in Canary Wharf, London, and similar events were held throughout the country.
Holly, who received her transplant in October, said: “My life has changed and I can do normal, everyday things that most people take for granted. Not having the worry of dialysis and all the restrictions that came with it, such as a renal diet and fluid restrictions, has made an enormous difference to me.
“I am very lucky my story has a happy ending, but for others this is not always the case, as there is still a major shortage of organ donors. I will be eternally grateful for my gift of life and intend to live life to the full now that I have been given a second chance.”
Holly is one of the campaigners in Channel 4’s Battlefront initiative, which encourages young people to actively campaign about a cause in which they believe. She aims to help those on donor waiting lists by encouraging more people to sign up.
Kate Wilkinson, a senior lecturer at the university, said: “Staff and students have been impressed by what Holly has achieved.
“It is hard enough being a final year student but Holly has somehow found the strength and determination to make a success of her new found venture alongside everything else that she has to do.”
