LEEDS, ENGLAND – Jack Pridmore, a 27-year-old father from Leeds, England, has been diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis, and is facing a “death sentence” without a liver transplant. Despite being on the transplant list since July, Jack has not yet found a suitable donor. His desperate appeal for help has prompted his fiance, Shannon Rose, to seek potential donors to come forward.
The disease has taken a toll on Jack’s health, leading to multiple hospitalizations and impacting his family life. Recently, extreme swelling to his body landed him in the emergency room. As a result, Jack is unable to move easily and has been confined to staying within a two-hour radius of his home in Leeds in case a liver becomes available for transplant.
Shannon, Jack’s fiance, expressed the emotional toll the illness has taken on their family, especially on their young son. “It’s affected everybody really badly. Jack just sees his condition at the minute as a death sentence,” she said. Shannon herself attempted to donate part of her liver, but was found to be incompatible. She stressed the life-changing impact a donor could have not only on Jack and their family but also on the donor’s own life.
According to the NHS, live liver donation is considered low risk to the donor, with the donated liver portion having the ability to regenerate and return to its normal size within weeks. Despite the potential risks, Shannon remains hopeful that a compatible donor will come forward to save Jack’s life, and has urged people to consider liver donation. More information about liver donation is available on the NHS website.
Jack’s plea for a life-saving liver transplant has illustrated the challenges faced by individuals in need of organ transplants, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about organ donation. As Jack continues to wait for a compatible donor, the pressure and uncertainty of his condition highlight the urgent need for more individuals to consider registering as organ donors to save lives.