By DAISY SAMPSON daisy.sampson@theresidentgroup.com
Just three weeks after receiving a new kidney in a transplant operation in the UK, Algarve resident Rod Smyth died in hospital in Oxford after an infection took hold of his leg and later his body.
Although this has been a devastating time for his widow Touchelle Smyth, she still has a positive outlook and is continuing her fundraising efforts.
“I want everyone to know that the transplant was a complete success and that Rod had the most incredible three weeks he has ever experienced in over 10 years,” said Touchelle Smyth. “He was able to eat and drink anything he desired, think clearly, have hopes and dreams, not worry about going to dialysis and had a great hospital experience for a change.”
Rod Smyth had a toe removed before his transplant operation and it was an infection in his leg that led to aggressive bacteria reaching his organs.
Because of the immunosuppressants Rod needed to take for his new kidney to be accepted, doctors were unable to fight the infection which ultimately led to his death.
Touchelle Smyth told the Algarve Resident: “We have a funeral planned for Rod to take place in the UK next Wednesday and I want to be able to hold a huge memorial bash before the end of May in the Algarve.”
She added: “Meanwhile, Kate Rouse and I are trying to raise money to pay back the exceptionally generous friend who stepped in and paid 15,000 euros out of her own pocket to enable us to be able to get back to the UK in time to see Rod. Thanks to her generosity Phoebe and I were able to spend the last two hours of Rod’s life by his side.”
Kate Rouse, the Algarve-based PR and marketing professional who donated her kidney to Rod, told the Algarve Resident: “I am keeping busy since Rod’s death with this new fundraising project. We are asking people to give one euro to help cover the costs of flying back to the UK and hope to get the fundraising started as soon as possible.
“The last thing Touchelle needs is to be worrying about money. Rod had no life insurance because of his health issues so we want to be able to help Touchelle and Phoebe out by getting everyone to give just one euro or pound.”
She added: “This is something very practical that we can do to help and it would be great that something positive can come out of such a tragedy”.
Touchelle said: “I have so many people I would like to thank who helped enormously. First and foremost, Kate, you are a rarity, you gave Rod so much more than anyone else. Lucie, my sister, who it seemed was Kate’s salvation and has been mine and Phoebe’s since Wednesday. Morag Richardson, who worked her butt off to get us home in time and was there with sandwiches and rescue remedy whenever it was needed. All the staff at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford who did everything in their power to keep Rod comfortable and help him stay alive long enough for us to see him.
“The list could reach thousands of people who have supported us through our journey and I would like to thank everyone who has sent emails, cards and texts to Phoebe, Kate and me. Every message gives us the extra strength needed to carry on.”
Morag Richardson said: “I would like to thank Chris Goldmann at Solambiente, Kiss FM for putting out a radio appeal and Ken Tomsett for his heroic efforts.”
For further information about fundraising, please visit www.run4rod.com or visit the Facebook pageeuro4rodcampaign.
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