Woman to run 200 miles for organ donation awareness

A woman who survived a rare pregnancy-related condition through a liver transplant is set to meet the family of the organ donor who saved her life as part of a week-long running challenge.

Louise Prashad, who was 22 at the time and 37 weeks pregnant with twins, suffered liver failure in 2016 and was placed into an induced coma before receiving a transplant from 52-year-old donor Sarah.

Louise is set to run 200 miles (322 km) from Birmingham to Bideford in Devon, where Sarah's family lives.

"To be able to thank them in person is an incredible thing," Louise, from Easingwold, North Yorkshire, said.

"I can't wait to wrap my arms around them and say thank you for the extra 10 years they've given me."

Recalling her time in hospital a decade ago, she said: "I had eight hours to live.

"I've spent the past 10 years trying to make the most light out of the darkness as possible."

When Louise woke up from her induced coma, she was given the news her twin son and daughter, Mia and Leo, had passed away.

Thinking of them and of Sarah would "inspire me to keep going" during the challenge, she said.

• 'I'm only here as a family supported organ donation'

She will be joined on the final mile by Sarah's son, daughter and grandchildren.

"I think I'm going to be really nervous, I've done some incredible things but this is the ultimate challenge," Louise said.

Since her transplant, Louise has competed in more than 300 races and represented Great Britain at the World Transplant Games, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.

"I did the London Marathon back in April and did the Race to the Stones 50km just a few weeks ago, so hopefully I have something in my legs," she joked.

According to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), 1,132 patients are waiting for a transplant in Yorkshire and the North East, with national family consent rates for organ donation dropping.

NHSBT figures found 57% of families agreed to their loved ones donating their organs this year, compared to 69% five years ago.

Louise said she "wants to spend every minute" showing the world what can be achieved when people say yes to organ donation.

"Organ donation has given me a second chance," she said.

"I've been able to marry the love of my life, go back to university, get my dream job and take part in sport and represent my country.

"These things wouldn't have happened without organ donation and it's so important people are going home and having that chat about it."

Her latest challenge, beginning on Sunday at 12:00 BST, should take seven days.

"It's going to be incredible, the minute I see them and hug them and thank them in person is going to be a life-changing moment," said Louise.

"All I want them to do is be proud of the gift they gave me."

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