By Sarah Robinson

Last updated at 11:31, Thursday, 14 March 2013

A DRAMATIC rise in organ donors in Copeland has followed on from a Whitehaven family’s heartfelt appeal.

appeal: Katelyn McAleavy

Relatives of eight-year-old Katelyn McAleavy launched an appeal four weeks ago as their little girl, who suffers from a serious heart defect, urgently needs a heart transplant.

They have received a tremendous amount of support – with kind-hearted people signing up to become organ donors and more than 1,620 people supporting Katelyn’s Facebook page.

The NHS Blood and Transplant service says there has been a huge rise in the number of people in Copeland signing up to become donors over the past few weeks.

In the first week of February, 10 people signed up to become organ donors, followed by four people the next week (Feb 12).

A staggering 67 people signed up in the week of Katelyn’s appeal (February 19), followed by 63 the next week (February 26) and 41 people last week (March 5).

A spokesperson for the NHS Blood and Transplant service said that as February is National Heart Month, there is generally an increase in people signing up compared to other months of the year. However, Katelyn’s appeal has had a huge impact on the community.

Joy Lamb, Katelyn’s grandmother, said: “There was such a fantastic response to the appeal and it has raised so much awareness. For four people to sign up one week and 67 people to sign up the week of the appeal – it’s really humbling that people read about Katelyn and have chosen to become organ donors.”

She said: “It’s not an easy decision at all and it’s not a decision that people take lightly. For people to sign up, it is fantastic.”

The family says that anyone wanting to become an organ donor can register but they must discuss their wishes with their loved ones.

Joy says the appeal has raised awareness about Katelyn’s heart defect – hyperplastic left heart syndrome – which means that only half of her heart works properly.

The little girl has undergone four major operations, including having a pacemaker fitted. However, her heart has failed again and the only option left is for her to have a complete transplant.

Her family says she is top of the national transplant emergency list and they are waiting for a heart to become available. In the meantime, relatives are appealing for people to become organ donors, if they can, and raise funds for CHUF (children heart unit fund) at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, where Katelyn has been treated.

Joy said the family has been overwhelmed by the amount of support they have had from the community.

At Katelyn’s school, St Begh’s, a Red Heart Day is taking place tomorrow (Friday) where children will be paying £1 and dressing up in red. Local businesses and organisations have kindly donated so many gift vouchers and prizes that the school will also be holding a prize bingo. Money from both events will go towards CHUF.

A party is set to be held on Saturday for Katelyn’s friends and family. Joy said: “It’s just a do for friends and family to relax. The entertainment have come forward to offer their services free of charge.”

A sponsored coast-to-coast cycle will be taking place in July to raise money for the heart unit. Katelyn’s grandfather, Steven Lamb, said two of his work colleagues, Steven Gyles and Robert Motley, are doing a sponsored coast-to- coast 280-mile-round trip on July 6 and 7 from Whitehaven to Tynemouth and back.

Over £1,000 has been raised in sponsor money, with more money to come in.

The family says Steven will also be getting his moustache shaved, in aid of CHUF!

To support the Facebook page, search for Plea for a new heart: Katelyn's story.

The Justgiving page can be found through the Facebook page.

For more information about becoming an organ donor, go to: http: www.organdonation.nhs.uk

First published at 11:24, Thursday, 14 March 2013
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk