Walsall Mother Urges Organ Donation Amid Life-Threatening Illness
Walsall mum, 46, says 'I'm running out of time' as she awaits life-saving transplant
Image: Birmingham Live
Kelly Cooley, a 46-year-old mother from Walsall, is urgently awaiting a double lung transplant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. With a prognosis of three to five years to live, she emphasizes the importance of discussing organ donation with family, as many patients in the Midlands face long waits for transplants.
- 01Kelly Cooley has been on the transplant waiting list for two years and relies on an oxygen tank 24/7 due to her condition.
- 02In 2022, 64 patients in the Midlands died while waiting for organ donations, highlighting the urgent need for donors.
- 03Kelly's illness has severely impacted her quality of life, forcing her to use a wheelchair and give up her job of 20 years.
- 04She is one of approximately 1,500 patients in the Midlands waiting for organ transplants, with only 20 in her group waiting for double lung transplants.
- 05Kelly urges families to discuss organ donation, as many do not consider it until faced with the reality of a loved one's death.
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Kelly Cooley, a 46-year-old mother from Walsall, England, is facing a life-threatening situation as she awaits a double lung transplant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis four years ago, she was given a prognosis of three to five years to live. Currently, she relies on an oxygen tank 24/7 and has been on the transplant waiting list for two years. Kelly describes the illness as debilitating, stating, "It is a horrible, horrible illness. You can't breathe, you're on oxygen, you can't walk, you get breathless."
Despite the urgent need for organ donors, the Midlands has one of the lowest rates of family consent for organ donation. Last year, 64 individuals in the region died while waiting for transplants. Kelly emphasizes the importance of discussing organ donation with family members, noting that many families do not address the topic until it is too late. She acknowledges the emotional difficulty of the situation but believes that organ donation can save lives. Kelly's story serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for organ donors and the impact of such decisions on patients' lives.
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Kelly's situation highlights the urgent need for organ donors in the Midlands, where many patients face long waits for life-saving transplants.
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