by Martin Jefferies

mjefferies@thekmgroup.co.uk

Young Westgate-on-Sea woman Jessica Wales has every reason to start 2010 with a smile, after receiving the life-saving double lung transplant she has waited years for.

A suitable donor was found just days after Christmas and doctors at Harefield Hospital, London, wasted no time in rushing brave Jess into surgery on Bank Holiday Monday (December 28).

Jess, who previously needed a constant stream of oxygen and an endless supply of antibiotics to survive, was breathing on her own by Sunday (January 3) and was said to be recovering steadily in the hospital’s intensive care unit as the Thanet Extra closed for press.

Her friend Sarah Milne, who set up the Save Jess campaign to raise awareness of organ donation, said: “There’s still a long way to go. The doctors are being very cautious because Jess was so poorly beforehand but she’s making good progress and is out of the critical 48-hour period.”

Ms Milne explained that recovery times folllowing a double lung transplant can vary, adding: “I’ve known some people to leave hospital and be back at home within four weeks but others spend many months on a ventilator and need long-term support.”

Last week’s successful operation followed a tumultuous year for 20-year-old Jess, who lives in Linksfield Road.
She struggled to breathe as she spent Christmas in King’s College Hospital, London - one of a number of lengthy hospital stays in 2009.

But the year also had its high points, including the 'Save Jess-tival’ organ donor awareness gig in October that was supported by Australian pop superstar Natalie Imbruglia.

Dozens of celebrities, including the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown, chat show host Jonathan Ross and Formula 1 racing star Rubens Barrichello also backed her fight for survival on the social networking website Twitter.

Ms Milne thanked people for their “incredible support”, which included a £250 donation from members of a Facebook group used to buy Christmas decorations, food and presents for Jess and her family.

She said her thoughts were with the family of Jess’ donor, adding: “Although we’re delighted that Jess has her transplant, we shouldn’t forget this is an extremely sad time for a family who lost someone very special just after Christmas. We should always remember the other side of the story.”

• Of the 8,000 Britons on transplant lists, three will die every day waiting for a suitable donor, according to Live Life Then Give Life (LLTGL), the transplant charity for which Jessica is an advocate.
• Around a quarter of the UK population will help others after their death by donating organs.
• To join the Organ Donor Register, visit www.uktransplant.org.uk or phone 0300 123 2323.
• Follow Jessica’s progress on Facebook or on Twitter, using the hashtag #savejess.