A YOUNG man told today how he was waiting for a third replacement kidney after two earlier transplants ended in failure.

Liam McLaughlin-Ventress, 20, said he had to take medication and go on a dialysis machine for 12 hours every night at his home in Fulford, York, to stay alive.

Liam is supporting The Press’s Lifesavers campaign, aimed at preventing needless deaths by persuading 20,000 extra potential donors to join the Organ Donor Register before the end of the year.

Liam urged anyone thinking of becoming a donor, but unsure what to do, to visit www.organdonation.nhs.org and see how they could change someone’s life.

The former Fulford School pupil said he suffered from end-stage renal failure.

“I also have high blood pressure and I’m very anaemic,” he said.

“I get very tired and out of breath rather quickly.

“At this current moment, I have one kidney in me that does not work. I rely on my dialysis as well as my medication to keep me alive.”

Liam said he had been ill since birth, and had his left kidney removed when he was three.

“My right kidney failed when I was 11, and my first transplant was on February 19, 2002, which failed due to scarring on the kidney itself.

“My second transplant was on November 26, 2006 and that failed due to acute rejection.”

Liam has been on the active transplant list since April 1 last year.

He also suffers from deafness after having being on 100 per cent oxygen for a long time as a baby.

The Press reported earlier this week how Lauren Senior, 16, from Pocklington, also suffers from kidney failure which will soon require dialysis treatment. Lauren is also waiting for a transplant.

Thousands in our circulation area have joined the Organ Donor Register since our campaign was launched six months ago, but many thousands more are needed. Our campaign was launched following the death of 22-year-old Miss York finalist Emma Young, who died while awaiting a double lung transplant.

For more information on organ donation or to join the register, phone 0300 1232323 or visit organdonation.nhs.uk or text SAVE to 84118.

Phone The Press newsdesk on 01904 653051 with your Lifesavers stories.