Last Saturday over 2,000 people attended the celebration of the 5,000th Liver Transplant in Birmingham that took place at Aston Villa’s Holte Suite.

Mr Thamara Perera, a liver surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Birmingham Children’s Hospital was one of the many people who attended the event. Mr Perera was greeted by many grateful patients and their families who he helped to save.

He said: “I was overwhelmed to see that so many patients who are doing really well following their liver transplant turned up for the 5,000th liver transplant celebrations and I felt so humbled when every one of them came to thank me for doing my part in their journey of liver transplantation.
The greatest pleasure is to see them do well, enjoying life and some are actively working, contributing to society and that’s the whole idea of organ transplantation. I am sure the donor families would be so happy to know that the greatest gift of life from their beloved ones has made a significant change in a patient’s life.”

One of the many patients that wanted to greet Mr Perera was Patrick Dunn. Patrick said: “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Mr Perera. I went to see the Liver team just the other day to say hello, I often do, they are fantastic, each and every one of them.” Patrick received his liver transplant just four years ago and recognised the surgeon that saved his life immediately.
Likewise to Patrick, another patient who attended the event was Gemma Jolly. Gemma was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis in 1997, and following the birth of her children George and Harrison in 2001 and 2006 her liver began to fail and after one failed transplant, she was finally admitted to hospital with severe jaundice in October 2018.

Pictured above: Gemma Jolly with the BBC

Thankfully on 7 November 2018, a liver was found. Gemma was able to receive the liver due to a machine named the OrganOx machine. The OrganOx machine helps to clean a donated liver ready for transplantation, increasing the chances of the recipient’s body accepting the new liver, and increasing the number of organs that will be considered for a transplant. This incredible piece of equipment came to QEHB thanks to the Ann Fox Foundation who raise money in memory of Ann who passed away following a liver transplant.
Gemma said: “Before I went into surgery, Mr Perera told me that if it weren’t for the machine then I wouldn’t have been able to have that liver as it took a long time to come over, and by looking at it they wouldn’t have considered it suitable.”

During the event, Gemma was interviewed by BBC Midlands Today and discussed the importance of donations to modern liver medicine; donations are instrumental in raising the money needed to purchase vital equipment that helps to give the gift of life.

Tony Fox BEM and Head of Fundraising Justine Davy

Head of Fundraising for QEHB Charity, Justine Davy said: “The event was such a wonderful occasion and went down so well with everyone! I would like to thank each and every person that attended the event and those that helped to make it special. From fairground rides and face painting for the children to the wonderful speeches that were given by the surgeons, everyone at the event had a fantastic time. Overall the event raised £2,317 towards QEHB Charity’s Liver Foundation UK, helping to support liver patients at QEHB by funding research, equipment and facilities over and above what the NHS can provide."

If you would like to donate, please visit hospitalcharity.org/liverfoundationuk

Back to news