A MOTHER whose two children both had liver transplants today backed a campaign urging people to join the organ donor register.
The £500,000 campaign, which includes TV, radio and online advertising, was launched at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh this morning by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
Bev Boon's 18-year-old daughter Rachael was born with Alagille Syndrome, which affects the bile ducts in her liver, and needed two transplants, the first when she was 16.
Mrs Boon said "After the transplant she got her life back. She was able to live life like a normal, healthy teenager."
However earlier this year, Rachael became ill again and needed a second transplant which she received at the RIE on September 5.
Mrs Boon, from Edinburgh, urged people to consider joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.
She said: "It was devastating to see your child deteriorate day-by-day. She became more and more ill, more and more exhausted, and there is nothing you can do about it.
"When we knew there was a match we were filled with such relief and fear. We were also overwhelmed with gratitude for the person who agreed to organ donation and offered our child the gift of life.
"You can't put into words what it feels like and what our feelings are for them. It is such a wonderful thing to do for others."
Every day, three people in the UK die waiting for an organ transplant.
More than 600 people in Scotland are currently waiting for one.
GP Susan Filsell, 32, from Glenrothes in Fife, has the auto immune disease Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and has been on the transplant waiting list since July 9.
She said: "I am unable to work just now so spend a lot of time hoping 'the call' will come soon.
"I have had to postpone my wedding as well, which I was very upset about but we will celebrate our love another day.
"I am on the NHS Organ Donor Register and passionately believe all Scots should be. We all have it in us to save a life after our death so please become an organ donor today."
Recent research by NHS Blood and Transplant found that 96 per cent of people say they would accept an organ but only 36 per cent of Scots have actually joined the register.
Ms Sturgeon urged people to join it.
She said: "Nobody likes to think about dying or losing a loved one but organ donation can make something positive come out of a tragedy."
John Forsythe, Scotland's lead clinician for organ donation and transplantation, said: "Due to the generosity of the Scottish people, organ donor numbers are increasing and allowing more life-saving transplants.
"But there is much still to do as people wait on lists for their chance to get a transplant."
