New Zealanders now have an opportunity to share in the challenges and joys offered by a second chance at life. The New Zealand Liver Transplant Recipients website is live today at http://www.livers.org.nz. This is a forum for communication and support amongst liver transplant recipients and those involved with them. The site is sponsored by Janssen-Cilag, distributors of Prograf (Tacrolimus), an anti-rejection drug.

As creator of the site, Bethli Wainwright, herself a Liver Transplant recipient, says "I wanted to provide the kind of information I was looking for when I was waiting for a transplant. I also wanted an opportunity to make my donor family proud of the decision they had made in giving me the gift of life."

The website offers a mix of personal experience and practical help. Special features include personal stories from recipients about their challenges and successes. Jean Rombach says, "as a kidney recipient of nearly 7 years I am forever grateful for my amazing gift of life. I am so thrilled to be able to support this new website and I know people are wanting to understand and learn more about organ donation and exactly what is involved in being a potential donor."

As one of two Transplant Donor Co-ordinators in New Zealand, Janice Langlands says "it's great to see recipients telling the community how well they are after their transplants and how grateful they are to the donor family."

It is hoped that the website will also encourage others to become organ donors.

Background Information

The site has a dual purpose of showcasing the gratitude for a second chance at life through the awesome gift of a donor organ, from all our donor families. This appreciation is life long, and our donor families are constantly in our thoughts.

The New Zealand Liver Transplant Recipients website is a growing body of experience. Already there are Fact Sheets on topics including Drugs and other post-Transplant features, as well as a collection of stories of our experiences, and those of our Caregivers. Information about the Support Groups and the Thanksgiving Services in Auckland and Christchurch this year is also there.

The launch of this website has been timed to coincide with the Auckland Thanksgiving Service on the 29th April at the Auckland Cathedral. There is no Donor Awareness week this year, so this is an attempt to consolidate awareness of the importance of discussing your personal stance on organ donation.

Should you wish to be a donor, it is not enough to have "Donor" on your Driver's Licence. Your family will be asked for their decision, and if they do not know how you felt about this, the decision you would prefer may not be the one made. It is important that every family takes 5 minutes once, to discuss this important issue. You never know when you may be in the Donor or Recipient category.

ENDS