Action desk

December 3 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the first heart transplant in South Africa It was carried out by Christian Barnard in Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town. The patient, Louis Washkansky, was a South African grocer. Mr Washansky died of pneumonia 18 days later.

Four decades on with improved drugs and surgical techniques, heart transplant patients, as well as recipients of all other organs, can expect to survive for longer than ever before. But sadly, the number of transplants that can be performed is constrained by the desperate shortage of donors. Every year more than 400 people die while listed for a transplant because a suitable donor cannot be found in time. To date, there are 185 patients in Kent awaiting organ transplants, and since April, seven have already died.

Local stories

So here at BBC Radio Kent we are asking you to consider picking up that phone and going onto the UK Organ Donor Register.

The day is illustrated with all kinds of Kent people who have been touched by organ donation. John Warnett will meet Elwyn Nicol who was given a new heart. Pat and Laura will be talking to Maff and Andy. Maff donated his kidney to Andy this summer, and together they have produced a song, Live Life Then Give Life. A possible Christmas number one?

On the afternoon show, we will hear eighteen year old Jessica’s plea for more people to sign up, as she waits for lungs to save her life.

And on Kent's Big Drive Home, we meet Verlie Mayes, whose son died aged 20. She is full of praise for the nurse who was brave enough to approach them and ask whether they had considered donation. She says the knowledge that their decision to donate has helped save 3 lives helped them with their grief.

Of course we’ll also have plenty of experts on hand to give you advice.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Jessica from Westgate-On-Sea tells of her wait for a lung transplant in her own words:

" My name is Jessica Wales and this is my life.

I was born on the 19th of March 1989 to my mum Jacqueline Susan Wales and my dad Harry William Wales

My mum was 26 years old and my dad was 34 years old, I was born at 5.46 am and everything appeared normal.

Oh how wrong everyone was.

Everything was normal till I was about 4 months when I developed pneumonia and almost died. After that I was finally diagnosed with cystic fibrosis which is a life threatening condition. From then on I was in and out of hospitals receiving treatment for several different infections for a number of years till everything calmed down for a while.

I was 5, my dear little brother was born and I loved him from the moment I saw him. At this time I had stopped needing to go into hospital because I was quite well till the aged of 7 when I got MRSA and had to have a very strong drug which knocked all my bugs out. After that I was ok till 11 when I started 3 monthly intravenous antibiotics and had a porta cath fitted which is a little device which is under the skin and you can use it for IV’s. Although I had a very strict regime with medication nebulisers physiotherapy I led a normal childhood and didn't let it rule my life. I was able to go horse ridding and go to brownies and never had any more absence from school than my friends.

In 2001 I was diagnosed with diabetes and started insulin, everything seemed fine and I continued three monthly IV’s until in 2005 I was told I might need a transplant.

At that moment I looked out of the window and there was a little bird sitting a tree outside. As it flew away I wished just for a second that I could fly away as well to get away from all of this, but then I looked back at the doctor and said ok I’ll go for assessment. I was sent for assessment, but first I had a peg fitted which I receive food over night through. I also by this time needed oxygen over night. In July I went for my assessment and was told I needed a transplant and went straight on the list. Now it was just a waiting game.

The family must always keep a bag packed

Everything from then seemed crappy until I got over the fact that not many people get their transplants due to waiting lists being so long because there are not enough people signed on to the organ donor register.

So anyway it’s been nearly 2 years now and only one false alarm I’m getting kind of tired of it now and starting to want to give up some days, but I carry on soldiering and pray that it comes; my friends and family keep me strong

So that’s my life so far who knows what the future holds......

My false alarm

Its 2 o'clock in the morning on the 27th of April 2007 I have just been called for transplant. I’m so scared it has just hit home

I just had the sudden thought OMG someone is dying at this very moment so I can potentially live.

Mum is worrying like hell and so is Dad. They are trying to hide it but I know they are. Granddad started crying which I didn't like at all

Nathan is at home with granddad. So we arrived at Harefield Hospital. At 4'o clock and I had blood taken to check the amount of infection

I had which came back ok, slightly raised, but within the boundaries that they like. I then had my shower with disinfectant and settled down and waited for news. I even managed to get some sleep. Then at 8 am I was told the news that the transplant wasn’t going ahead. I was so upset and took me a day or so just to get my head around it.

7 months on and I’m still waiting for that call that will save my life.

So please help sign the organ donor register please give the gift of life after your death. There are 7,000 people waiting for transplant and this year 450 people will die waiting. Just think how would you feel if a loved one was dying on the list just waiting and hoping for a new chance at life. "

To sign up to the UK Organ Register, it’s just a telephone call away. Call the CSV Action Desk on 08000 680 675 or email the team at radio.kent.actiondesk@bbc.co.uk