9/4/2008Wife in pledge to provide organ for sick partner
A DEVOTED wife is preparing to donate one of her kidneys
in a bid to save her husband's life.
Maureen Lowrie, 63, has vowed to sacrifice one of her organs to give Jim a chance of survival.
Jim, 57, has to undergo weekly dialysis treatment due to kidney failure. He also suffers from diabetes and is on a range of medicines including blood pressure tablets and insulin.
His diabetes means he has bad eyesight and gets short of breath very easily.
Jim was forced to give up his job as a bus driver and later this month he expects to be told he'll have to join the waiting list for a suitable donor.
However, Maureen is only too well aware that, because of a shortage of donors, people die while on the waiting list.
The couple, from Castlemilk, are now urging more people to help save lives by signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
However, if suitable, Maureen is prepared to become a living donor for her husband of almost 18 years.
Maureen works as a carer in the community as well as taking care of Jim. She said: "Jim has been ill for a couple of years now.
"He has suffered from diabetes since he was 39. Last year the doctor told him he would need dialysis because his kidneys were not working anymore.
"Before that he had got sharp pains in his side.
"He was then diagnosed with pneumonia. While in hospital he developed an abscess on one of his lungs. This burst and caused septicaemia. He was in intensive care for five weeks."
The couple met in Edinburgh more than 20 years ago while enjoying a shared hobby.
"We would play bowls a lot and that's how we met," explains Maureen.
"We were friends at first, then the romance started. We married and moved to Glasgow. Jim is originally from Bridgeton."
Jim's poor health hasn't just cost him his job, he's now too weak to play bowls as well.
Maureen said: "He can't walk very far and gets breathless so he's had to give up bowls.
"It's changed his life. Jim gets tired easily, especially before he is due to have dialysis."
In Scotland alone 268 people have died while on the organ transplant list since 2003.
"If we are a match and I'm able to donate my kidney to Jim, I will – he's my husband.
"I am already a donor because when I die I won't need my organs.
"People should support organ donorship, not giving permission for them to be used is a waste.
"It's a great idea for people to go on the register."
For more info on organ donation go to 0845 60 60 400 or go to /www.uktransplant.org.uk
in a bid to save her husband's life.
Maureen Lowrie, 63, has vowed to sacrifice one of her organs to give Jim a chance of survival.
Jim, 57, has to undergo weekly dialysis treatment due to kidney failure. He also suffers from diabetes and is on a range of medicines including blood pressure tablets and insulin.
His diabetes means he has bad eyesight and gets short of breath very easily.
Jim was forced to give up his job as a bus driver and later this month he expects to be told he'll have to join the waiting list for a suitable donor.
However, Maureen is only too well aware that, because of a shortage of donors, people die while on the waiting list.
The couple, from Castlemilk, are now urging more people to help save lives by signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
However, if suitable, Maureen is prepared to become a living donor for her husband of almost 18 years.
Maureen works as a carer in the community as well as taking care of Jim. She said: "Jim has been ill for a couple of years now.
"He has suffered from diabetes since he was 39. Last year the doctor told him he would need dialysis because his kidneys were not working anymore.
"Before that he had got sharp pains in his side.
"He was then diagnosed with pneumonia. While in hospital he developed an abscess on one of his lungs. This burst and caused septicaemia. He was in intensive care for five weeks."
The couple met in Edinburgh more than 20 years ago while enjoying a shared hobby.
"We would play bowls a lot and that's how we met," explains Maureen.
"We were friends at first, then the romance started. We married and moved to Glasgow. Jim is originally from Bridgeton."
Jim's poor health hasn't just cost him his job, he's now too weak to play bowls as well.
Maureen said: "He can't walk very far and gets breathless so he's had to give up bowls.
"It's changed his life. Jim gets tired easily, especially before he is due to have dialysis."
In Scotland alone 268 people have died while on the organ transplant list since 2003.
"If we are a match and I'm able to donate my kidney to Jim, I will – he's my husband.
"I am already a donor because when I die I won't need my organs.
"People should support organ donorship, not giving permission for them to be used is a waste.
"It's a great idea for people to go on the register."
For more info on organ donation go to 0845 60 60 400 or go to /www.uktransplant.org.uk