Transplant patient organises ball for QEHB Charity’s Liver Foundation

Sue Bennett, a 42-year-old from Ranton, Stafford, is busy organising an event from which she hopes to raise thousands for QEHB Charity’s Liver Foundation UK.

The mother of three received a liver transplant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in June of 2015, following a long struggle with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The exact cause of this condition is unknown, but it is widely believed be the result of a problem within the immune system, wherein the immune system mistakenly sends specialised cells that usually kill bacteria and viruses to the bile duct, which then damage the surface of the bile ducts and cause scarring and disruption of the flow of bile from the liver over time.

This increases the amount of bile in the liver, which results in the liver becoming extensively damaged and scarred, otherwise known as cirrhosis.

This damage causes the liver to lose its function over time, and this was what happened in the case of Sue. In regard to receiving the transplant, Sue said:

“I was left feeling overwhelmed at the gift of life I had been given by my donor and their family. I am so grateful to the liver unit at the QE for saving my life, and to the PBC Foundation for their tireless efforts in regard to raising awareness of the condition and supporting the medical profession in research into it.”

(Pictured: Sue leaving hospital after the transplant)

Sue is organising a charity ball, auction, and raffle that will be held at Stafford County Showground on Saturday, 24 September 2016. Having set herself a fundraising target of £2,000, Sue hopes that it will be a great event, enjoyed by all.

Sue said: "I feel that this fundraising is the best way I can let staff know that their dedication, expertise, care and compassion makes a huge difference; they are very much appreciated.

“I hope that the ball will encourage others to join the organ donor register and to educate and remove the stigma of liver-related diseases. I want to make my donor and their family proud by giving courage and hope to others who are facing transplants.”

The future looks incredibly bright for Sue, as she prepares to take part in the British Transplant Games in July: “Who knows; perhaps I will compete in the World Transplant Games next year!”

Michael Tivey, Fundraising Officer at QEHB Charity, said: We are incredibly excited in regard to Sue’s ball; it sounds like it is going to be an amazing evening! On behalf of the charity, I want to thank Sue for her hard work in regard to organising this event, and to wish her the best of luck for the future.”

To find out more about QEHB Charity's Liver Foundation UK, please click here.