MEMBERS of the Morecambe Bay Kidney Support Group are celebrating National Transplant Week by asking people to think about carrying a donor card, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate There are 22 patients and 16 carers in the group. Eleven of the patients have had successful kidney transplants, which members believe is "fantastic".

Among the group members, Jean Huck lives at Kendal and has had her transplant since September 2000. Life is a lot easier now without the restrictions of diet and dialysis. She has more time to spend with her family and her granddaughter, Jasmine, who is four.

Diane Lowis, from Kendal, received her transplant in July 2001. After one or two upsets she has been very well and is now at college in Kendal and feels that her life is much better.

Annelies Boak lives at Allithwaite. She feels very lucky to have received her kidney transplant in April 1999 after having been on dialysis at home. She is now able to get lots of enjoyment from her garden, which is something she was not able to manage before.

David North, who lives at Caton, has been on the waiting list since October 2002. A retired farmer, he has been dialysing at home with the help of his wife, Barbara, since he lost his kidneys with Wegeners Granulomatosis, a rare blood disease.

Chris Tomlinson lives at Grange-over-Sands, and had his first kidney transplant in December 2003. He feels very well at present and is able to enjoy walking and cycling.

Within the support group are two sisters, Janice Parkes and Jacqui Sharpe from Lancaster, who received their transplants within 18 months of each other.

Also, Chris Carter, from Halton, received his kidney from his mother in November 2003. Chris's wife, Michelle, gave birth to their baby boy in January 2004 two months after his transplant who was a very welcome brother for their daughter, Emma.

Annelies Boak said: "Without the courage and generosity of the donor families none of these people would have been fortunate enough to have received the gift of a transplant, and live without the limitations of such a debilitating illness.

"Anyone who registers on the donor register must make their families aware of their wishes. As things stand, next of kin can object to a request at what must be a very difficult time, even if there is a Donor Card being carried, but if it has been made plain to them by the person wishing to donate then they should know that their wish is paramount."

Within the support group there are three patients waiting for transplants. Unfortunately not all patients are suitable to go forward for transplant.

Morecambe Bay Kidney Support Group welcomes kidney patients living anywhere within the Morecambe Bay area pre-dialysis patients, patients already suffering the limitations of dialysis and transplant patients.

Any patient can feel that they need help or the reassurance of talking to someone that understands what they are going through, and hopefully the group can support them, as all the members are either patients or carers.

Morecambe Bay Kidney Support Group meets on the second Thursday of each month for lunch at the Crooklands Hotel. For more information, contact either Annelies Boak on 015395-33592 or Janice Parkes on 01524-68023.

Nationally there are 5,085 kidney patients waiting for a transplant. Since April 1, 2004, 196 people have donated organs. In the last 12 months more than 860,000 people have added their names to the NHS Organ Donor Register. NHS Organ Donor Line: 0845 6060400 or online: www.uktransplant.org.uk