This Is Your Life: Elizabeth Ward

Elizabeth WARD OBE (1926-2020)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Elizabeth Ward, charity founder, was surprised by Michael Aspel - with the help of her charity's Patron, the Duke of Westminster - at a photocall to celebrate the charity's 21st anniversary at Guy's Hospital in London.

Elizabeth's son Timbo developed an acute kidney condition at the age of 13, which caused his kidneys to eventually fail. Elizabeth successfully fought for him to receive lifesaving treatment both at hospital and at home, and despite knowing the costs involved, she set out to help others in the same situation, and began working with the Kidney Research Fund. It became clear that Timbo's only hope was a transplant, but there was no donor scheme in place at that time.

In August 1971 Elizabeth placed an ad in The Times newspaper, which led to the beginning of a massive public awareness campaign, and the introduction of the kidney donor card. The British Kidney Patient Association was founded by Elizabeth in 1975 to improve the quality of life for adults and children with kidney disease. Sadly, Timbo died in September 1987, but Elizabeth's work continued and in 1990 Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra opened the Timbo Ward Paediatric Renal Unit at London's Guy's Hospital.

"No - I can't believe it. I mustn't cry, must I?"

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