LLTGL Statement on Presumed Consent | 17 Nov 2008

Live Life Then Give Life welcomes the findings of the Organ Donor Taskforce in recognising that a lack of presumed consent is not the most significant barrier to organ donation in this country. As a charity, we support the belief of the Taskforce that the infrastructure and systems within the NHS need tackling in the first instance, before presumed consent becomes fully relevant.

We are delighted to see the progress that the Government is making with its implementation of an £11million funding package with a commitment to increase the number of transplants each year by 50% over the next 5 years, and we will continue to support them through this process.

The Taskforce report concluded:

“…that [a system of presumed consent] has the potential to distract attention away from essential improvements to systems and infrastructure and from the urgent need to improve public awareness and understanding of organ donation. Most compelling of all, [they] found no convincing evidence that it would deliver significant increases.”

Read the full report here

On 11th June, Emma was privileged to attend Graduate Fashion Week in London to support our very talented Scottish Advocate, Anna Burnett whose final year collection was being modelled on the catwalk. Anna received a liver transplant in 1996 when she was just 11 years old. She is now a talented fashion designer who is committed to raising awareness of organ donation and who has won 49 gold medals at the UK and world transplant games. Anna's final year fashion collection was inspired by her experiences and involved 'transplanting' pattern pieces around the body and use of the colour blue which represented the colour of the phototherapy lights that she spent 16 hours a day under before her transplant.

Anna Burnett Fashion Show

All at Live Life Then Give Life were surprised but thrilled when the Waterloo Foundation contacted us to award us a financial gift to aid us with our work. You can check them out and the work they do by clicking on http://www.waterloofoundation.org.uk.

A rather brave man called Gerry took part in the infamous Iron man challenge, and came a spectacular 183rd out of 347. The Iron man challenge one of the toughest challenges someone can undertake consisting of three parts; swimming, a cycle course and then to top it off, a half marathon. Gerry has already raised a fantastic £2,500 for LLTGL and is still pulling in the pledges after his amazing achievement. We are extremely grateful to Gerry for this fantastic fundraising achievement and also to the Chloe Jane Ball Trust who put Gerry in touch with us.

How do you fancy the chance of winning £10,000 just by supporting charity? You could do just that by adopting a duck in the Great British Duck Race for just £3 (one pound of which will then go to us). The winning duck's owner will scoop the fantastic prize so what are you waiting for, click here to get adopting!


On 23rd June, Emily, Emma and Advocate Holly Shaw were priviledged to attend the 3rd annual Stephen Tighe Football Tournament. Ste was killed in 2006 and his family chose to donate his organs, which went to five individuals, two of which were children. The family are incredibly strong and continue to promote organ donation and raise funds for Live Life Then Give Life.

Ste Tighe Football Tournament

The total amount raised in Ste's name was an amazing £4200, including sponsorship for Andy and Colin's (pictured) New York Marathon Run which they did in memory of Ste.

Andy and Colin at the NYC Marathon