A STUDENT from Warrington who has spent two years on the waiting list for a kidney transplant is appealing for people to join the organ donor register.

Holly Shaw, 20, from Westbrook, Kingswood, was diagnosed with kidney failure in January 2005.

Miss Shaw, who has just completed the first year of her degree studies at Chester University, took ill suddenly around two-and-a-half years ago.

She said: “It was just before Christmas 2004 and I was being sick all the time. At first the doctor said it was a virus but at New Year I went to a locum and within 24 hours I was in Warrington Hospital on dialysis.”

There, she was diagnosed as having end stage renal failure and a few months later she was placed on the transplant waiting list.

The former Great Sankey High pupil said: “It was a big shock when I was told I had kidney failure – it hadn’t even crossed my mind. I’d been fine and then I suddenly started being sick and couldn’t keep anything down.”

Since then, she has attended hospital for a three-hour dialysis session every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

She is desperate to be free of the demands her illness places on her, including dialysis, fluid intake and dietary restrictions, constant tiredness and nausea.

Miss Shaw said: “I can only drink 500ml of fluid a day, just water or fruit cordial. My diet is fairly strict. I’m not allowed any salt at all and I can’t eat foods high in potassium or phosphate.

“I can eat chicken, meat and salad, and potatoes and vegetables if they are boiled twice. No-nos include bananas, chocolate, crisps, takeaways and alcohol. I was quite partial to chocolate before.”

She goes on nights out with friends but cannot drink alcohol and tends to get tired early on.

She said: “I can’t go out drinking but I like going along anyway. My friends are all really understanding when I want to go home early.

“The tiredness affects everything. University has been a struggle and so have things like going shopping, I have to rest every 15 minutes or so.

“I miss living a normal life and not being tied to hospital appointments. I also have scars on my arms from where they do the dialysis.

“On the other hand, I’m lucky. At least I can have dialysis while I wait.”

She said the call for a transplant could come at any time, which means she cannot go on long holidays abroad.

“The transplant could be tomorrow, but it could be 10 years down the line.

“ As a family, we haven’t been abroad since I was diagnosed. If we were far away and got a call, I wouldn’t be able to get back for the transplant.”

Miss Shaw says her mother Helen, father Alan and brother Andrew, 25, have been incredibly supportive.

She said: “My mum even went through tests to donate a kidney but unfortunately her kidney wasn’t a suitable match.”

Helen Shaw, who gave up her job as a supply teacher to help her daughter when she was diagnosed, said: “Holly needs our support. She needs someone to drive her home from each dialysis session.

“I’m very proud that she has completed her first year at university. It’s been hard for her but she has been very determined.”

She added: “I would urge people to register as organ donors. It only takes a few minutes and it could transform someone’s life.”

Miss Shaw is supporting a campaign called Live Life Then Give Life which encourages people to join the organ donor register.

Anyone who would like to join the NHS Organ Donor Register can do so online by visiting www.uktransplant.org.uk or by phoning the Organ Donor Line on 0845 6060400.

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