Show designed to boost interest in organ donation
A recent instalment of the new TV One series Situation Critical featured Professor Charles McGhee restoring sight to a young Taranaki farmer who suffered from keratoconus, and whose left eye was so badly affected it was legally blind.
The patient, Nicola, along with her husband own a dairy farm, and with a young family Nicola was to gain back her independence as a result of the cornea transplant that featured on the show.
The factual series tells heartfelt stories of New Zealanders in need of organ transplants, whilst also profiling families who have lost loved ones and have donated a family member’s organs in order to give the ultimate gift of life.
The shows producers are given unprecedented access to organ transplant surgeries and hospital wards, with the series also following the highly skilled surgeons and specialists involved.
“Being involved in the show was both challenging and rewarding, I am used to having other ophthalmologists and students in theatre when I operate but it certainly adds a little additional tension when you know that every move and comment is being filmed! However, the company were highly professional with all the patients and staff, never too intrusive, and sought our comments on the penultimate version.
“I genuinely hope the whole series will awaken the NZ public to the need for organ and tissue donation and the untold benefits to recipients, particularly at a time when we have the lowest corneal donations that I can recall in a decade,” said Prof McGhee.
Body organ donation is relevant to every New Zealander. For more information about organ and tissue donation visit www.donor.co.nz
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