Talk about transplants, says Spalding gold medal winner

A Spalding gold medallist athlete is urging everyone to support Organ Donation Week and save lives.

More than 30 people have died in the county waiting for a transplant in the last five years, according to statistics released this week.

And teaching assistant Sam Newton said he would probably not be here today without the generosity of a grieving family.

He was diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of 21 and received a kidney and pancreas transplant in 2014.

“This only happened because someone I had never met, seen or talked to passed away and their family made the most generous decision and gave me the gift of life,” he said.

Sam returned to work at Spalding Academy this week after the summer break.

Last year there were 60 people in Lincolnshire who had their lives saved by a transplant but NHS Blood and Transplant is asking more people to tell their families if they want to donate.

There are currently around 6,000 people on the UK waiting list for a life saving organ transplant.

This week is Organ Donation Week and the transplant service is highlighting the statistics.

“Please, let your family know your decision and ask them if they want to be donors. Don’t leave your family guessing what you would have wanted to happen.

“We know that many families feel enormous pride and comfort knowing that their relative went on to save lives,” said Anthony Clarkson, interim director of the service.

Sam was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when a young child, but was determined not to let it control his life.

But at the age of 21 the condition was causing kidney failure and he was put on the transplant list.

He is a keen archer and just this summer won a gold and silver medal at the European

Transplant and Dialysis Sports Championships in Italy. He also won gold and silver in the British games and is hopeful of selection for next year’s world championships in Gateshead.

Sam also previously won medals in 2015 and 2016 for archery, badminton and volleyball.

“I try to honour my donor’s memory by giving to others,” he said.

Sam had to crowdfund to raise money for his recent trip to Sardinia and said he may have to do so again.

Six members of South Holland District Council, including leader Gary Porter, donated to his appeal.

He achieved a European record of 278 out of a possible 300 to win the gold in Sardinia.

The British Transplant games were held in Birmingham last month and Sam qualified for the world championships which will be held in Gateshead next year.

Archery has not been in the championships since 2015 but will be included next August.

The number of organ donors is increasing, but few tell family members.

“People are dying every day because some families are not talking about donation. We need more families in Lincolnshire to say yes to organ donation, so that more lives can be saved,” said Mr Clarkson.

“We all know that organ donation legislation will change to a deemed consent system in England and Scotland in future years, but the harsh fact is people are dying right now waiting for an organ and it will still be important for people to know your decision,” he added.

Register with the NHS Organ Donor system on the website www.organdonation.nhs.uk