they are willing to donate organs.

The plea came yesterday from the widow of former Opposition Leader Frederick Wade.

Ianthia Simmons Wade spoke out after 70-year-old Jacob (Jackie) Trott donated his kidney to his stepdaughter, Deborah Brown.

She urged others to follow Mr. Trott's example, saying: "I encourage everyone, give the gift of life, be an organ donor.'' And she challenged Transport Minister Wayne Furbert to allow "organ donor'' to be printed on driving licences.

Mrs. Brown, 43, received the kidney in an operation last month at Johns Hopkins Medical Centre in Baltimore.

Mr. Trott was the oldest person to have donated a kidney in Bermuda. His actions and "courage'' won praise from Mrs. Wade, whose late husband suffered kidney problems before reportedly dying from a heart attack.

Mrs. Wade calls for `donor cards' "Unfortunately, it is not until someone close to you experiences kidney failure and goes on dialysis that you become aware of the plight of persons in need of kidney transplants,'' she said.

"Although my husband, Frederick Wade, is no longer here, I have vowed to do what I can to educate persons about organ donations.'' Mr. Wade died in August, 1996 not long after undergoing surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore.

Doctors operated to treat an aneurysm, a permanent swelling of a blood vessel.

He also underwent treatment for a kidney problem.

Mrs. Wade's comments have been made in a letter to The Royal Gazette .

In it, she said: "Persons may receive a kidney from three possible sources, a `living related donor', a `living unrelated donor' or a `cadaveric donor' (deceased donor).

"Because of the shortage in the donor organs, the waiting list for a suitable cadaveric kidney may last up to two years and in some cases much longer.'' Mrs. Wade added the waiting list was a nationwide network called UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) to which all transplant centres in the United States belonged. Bermudians were registered at several different centres.

"The issue of having `organ donor' put on your driver's licence has been discussed for some time, but to no avail.

"I challenge the Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert to act immediately on having this implemented. This will make the differences in the quality of someone's life or possible the length of their life.'' Mr. Furbert last night said he had not been in contact with Mrs. Wade on this issue.

But he added: "I am open to discussion to see what the ramifications, legal or otherwise, of such a move are.'' Mr. Furbert said any discussion could well involve the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

GOVERNMENT GVT TRANSPORTATION TRA