https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/press-releases/cbbc-s-my-life-series-feature-great-ormond-street-hospital-patient/

CBBC’s My Life series to feature Great Ormond Street Hospital patient

7 Mar 2012, 3:22 p.m.

Raphael and his Dad post op

On Wednesday 14 March at 4:30pm, the critically acclaimed CBBC documentary series ‘My Life’ will show patient Raphael Harvard as he undergoes a kidney transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital.Entitled ‘Me, My Dad & His Kidney’, the programme tells how nine year old Raphael developed a medical condition which destroyed his kidneys. 

Eight months later, Raphael’s dad, Duane, stepped forward to donate one of his own kidneys, which was then transplanted into Raphael.

With exclusive access to both Duane and Raphael’s operations, this intimate documentary follows the family before, during and after transplant. Clever animation gives viewers an insight into the functions of the kidney, and its importance in the human body.

Dr Stephen Marks, consultant paediatric nephrologist and clinical lead for kidney transplantation at Great Ormond Street Hospital said:

“We wanted to take part in this innovative programme so that other children can see what kidney failure is, and what it means. Raphael narrates this documentary, so it is all about his experience of coming into hospital and having a kidney transplant. We hope that other children will be able to relate to this programme.

“We were also keen to highlight the subject of organ donation. Raphael was very lucky to be able to receive a kidney from his dad. However, some parents are not able to donate to their children, and they may have to wait a long time for a kidney transplant."

Later this year, Great Ormond Street Hospital will be opening the British Kidney Patient Association Children’s Kidney Centre. This centre will see kidney patients receive the specialist care they need in more spacious wards that offer more privacy.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, call the Organ Donor Register line on 0300 123 23 23, or log onto the website: www.organdonation.nhs.uk, or text the word 'SAVE' to 84118.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Hayley Dodman, Great Ormond Street Hospital press office on 0207 239 3126 or email hayley.dodman@gosh.nhs.uk

For genuine and urgent out of hours call speak to switchboard on 020 7405 9200.

Notes to Editors

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is the country’s leading centre for treating sick children, with the widest range of specialists under one roof.
With the UCL Institute of Child Health, we are the largest centre for paediatric research outside the US and play a key role in training children’s health specialists for the future.
Our charity needs to raise £50 million every year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research. With your help we provide world class care to our very ill children and their families.