Transplant Couple Make TV Bid for Cash Support

A NORTHUMBERLAND couple who have campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of organ donation are to appear on a prime-time TV show in a bid to boost funds.

Sue and Richard Cansdale lost their daughter Zoe in a motorbike accident in September 1998, but donated her corneas and heart valves to pass on to patients in desperate need of them.

The 22-year-old was not carrying a donor card, but had always told her parents, of Hartburn, near Morpeth, she wanted to help others if she died.

Thanks to Zoe’s kindness, Mr and Mrs Cansdale have struck up close friendships with the children who have benefited from her death – a boy in Germany and a girl in the UK.

Mrs Cansdale, 49, and her husband, 59, a water filtration consultant, have written a book about their experiences and the issue of organ donation – called Transforming Lives – and it is already selling well.

But Mrs Cansdale wants it to be included on the curriculum in every school in the country, so has contacted the Department for Education and Skills, who have shown interest.

She worked out it would cost almost pounds 100,000 to equip every school with books and DVDs, so came up with the novel idea of taking part in a TV show to try to earn the cash.

Fortune: Million Pound Giveaway is an ITV programme where five millionaires – including Jeffery Archer and Duncan Bannatyne – listen to bids from members of the public and decide which is the most worthy.

Mrs Cansdale said: “There are all sorts of people who go on – there were people who wanted to go on trips abroad and others who wanted things to help their own lives.

“Anybody can apply for anything, but I am hoping, as the idea of the show is to make dreams come true, that our bid will be taken up by the millionaires.

“I only heard about the show when I was put in touch with the Community Council for Northumberland in Morpeth looking for funding, and they told me about it.

“We have been to auditions, which seemed to go well, and have been told we will be appearing, so we have one minute to convince them to support us.

“But even if we are not successful, we will be highlighting the issue of organ donation on prime-time TV, which can only be a good thing. It is so important to help others after you die, yet not many young people really consider it.”

Production company Fevermedia are being tight-lipped about who will appear on each show, but it is likely the Cansdales will plead their case on January 16.

You can find out more about organ donation and join the NHS Organ Donor Register by telephoning 0845 606-0400, visiting www.uktransplant.org.uk or collecting a leaflet from your GP surgery.

(c) 2007 The Journal – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.