Off to the hospital again. Today, I get to take a handful of family and friends to the Transplant Seminar. An opportunity for us all to learn more about the process of Living Donor Kidney Transplantation, both from the perspective of a Donor and a Recipient. Spoken accounts, from people who've actually gone through the process, and came out the other side. I understand we'll also get to hear from the teams involved in the end to end process - from those who make it all possible from one day to the next. The unsung heroes in the background.

The time now is 3:44am, I should be asleep and yet here I am, emptying my thoughts about the day into a Blog post. Why, because I can't sleep. I've had a restless night in the run-up to today - and it's going to be a long day! The Seminar starts at 1pm and finishes at 5pm! I feel exhausted but can't settle back to sleep so hopefully writing this will allow me to do so in a few minutes.

I'm already gearing myself up for all the information I'm going to come away with. So many questions I want to ask/have answered. I'm mostly looking forward to speaking 1-2-1 with the Post-Op Kidney recipients. Their insights will be priceless to me.

My hopes for the day...

I really want family and friends to gain a greater understanding of what I will soon hopefully be going through - subject to a suitable donor match being found. Who knows, it may even prompt more of my party to get involved. Volunteer to be tested to see if they could be a match. I want them to feel more at ease talking about Kidney Donation and Organ Transplantation. It's a step in the right direction towards educating more people and contributing to the changing of attitudes on a wider basis.

I keep telling myself, one conversation at a time. Keep having more conversations! Encourage people to be a part of the solution to a problem we could all someday face.

From the Seminar.....

You can drop me a message either via Twitter @Naomi_My_Story or HERE I love reading all of your messages of encouragement.
If you are moved by my story and want to get more involved, please consider doing one of the following two things:

1. Registering to become an Organ Donor here: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ if you do, be sure to let me know!
New registrations give me a boost!

2. If you want to help me directly by being tested to see if you could donate, you will need to be aware of the following:
  • Firstly, I am BLOOD TYPE O-NEGATIVE it's important you know this in advance to be considered for a possible direct donation.
    Failing that, an indirect donation is still a possibility. Please still get in touch using the below...
  • Secondly, please complete THIS FORM and someone will get back to you to move things forward.

AGAIN, THANK YOU!