Teesside nurse shines light on power of organ donation after life-changing transplant

Jaki McAleavey left, and Alexandra Marshall
-Credit: (Image: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust)


A Teesside nurse is sharing her deeply personal journey of transformation and gratitude after receiving a cornea transplant.

Alexandra Marshall, an advocate for organ donation awareness, emphasises not only the impact her restored sight has had on her life, but also the importance of others considering becoming donors. She is telling her story as Organ Donation Week (Monday 23 to Sunday 29 September) comes to an end.

Alexandra, who works as an anaesthetic and recovery sister at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, shared: "I have a disorder in the eye called keratoconous which causes cone shaping and thinning of the cornea which results in blurry vision, double vision and light sensitivity.

"I had previously undergone surgery on the right eye called collagen cross linking which helps to strengthen the cornea and slow down the progression of keratoconous. However, the cornea in the left eye was already too thin so I was booked for full thickness corneal transplant."

"Unlike many organ recipients, I did not experience the 'waiting' stage for a donor. I was fortunate enough to be given a date for surgery quite quickly. I underwent the procedure at the Sunderland Eye Infirmary in 2016 under general anaesthetic and the procedure lasted around two hours.

"Unlike many organ recipients, I did not experience the 'waiting' stage for a donor. I was lucky enough to be given a date for surgery quit quickly.

"When I woke up I was surprised at how comfortable I was and, despite having 16 stitches in my eye, my eyesight was already massively different. I was discharged home the following morning and had regular check-ups to monitor my eye sight and eye pressures and to slowly remove the stitches in my eye.

"Prior to my transplant, despite wearing glasses and contact lenses, I found it difficult using monitors at work. I had to stop driving and genuinely struggled with normal day to day activities."

"Since receiving my transplant I can now drive again and have no issues with monitors at work. My life has improved massively and without my transplant I'm not sure how long I would have managed in the area that I work in."

"If I could talk to my donor, I don't think 'thank you' comes close to how grateful I am for receiving my transplant. I can't express my gratitude."

"As cheesy as it sounds, I have two beautiful daughters now who I can see clearly, can drive to and from school and dance lessons and genuinely enjoy properly watching them grow up. I truly did get the gift of sight!"

Commenting on the importance of being a donor, Alexandra said: “I feel like it’s important that organ donation is discussed and considered from an early age. There is also such a stigma around eyes and unfortunately donating eyes is the part of the body that most people say they do not wish to donate. For people wanting to know more there is lots of information available on the organ donation website.”

Jaki McAleavey, specialist nurse in organ donation, said: “Alexandra’s story shows how important organ donation is. “Organ donors are heroes. Their selfless act can save lives by donating vital organs but also can improve lives like Alexandra’s cornea transplant.

“Registering your decision only takes a few minutes and could impact the lives of dozens of people and their loved ones. Organ Donation Week is the perfect time to discuss organ donation with your loved ones and to register your decision on the NHS register.”

To find out more: www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/donate.

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