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Man refused liver transplant dies | Man refused liver transplant dies |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A man from east London who began binge-drinking at 13 has died after being denied a life-saving liver transplant. | A man from east London who began binge-drinking at 13 has died after being denied a life-saving liver transplant. |
Gary Reinbach, 22, from Dagenham, was given only a few weeks to live after developing cirrhosis of the liver. | Gary Reinbach, 22, from Dagenham, was given only a few weeks to live after developing cirrhosis of the liver. |
He was admitted to University College Hospital London (UCL) with alcohol damage for the first time 10 weeks ago. | He was admitted to University College Hospital London (UCL) with alcohol damage for the first time 10 weeks ago. |
But health chiefs ruled he should not be exempt from strict organ donation criteria which require an alcohol-free period of at least six months. | But health chiefs ruled he should not be exempt from strict organ donation criteria which require an alcohol-free period of at least six months. |
Mr Reinbach, who died on Sunday, was too ill to be sent home after his admission to hospital. | |
Teenage drinking | Teenage drinking |
A statement from NHS Blood and Transplant said: "This case highlights the dilemma doctors face because of the shortage of donated organs. | |
"They have to make tough decisions about who is going to get the benefit and who is going to take best care of this precious gift." | |
Campaign group Alcohol Concern called for more research into the way alcohol can affect young people's health. | Campaign group Alcohol Concern called for more research into the way alcohol can affect young people's health. |
The group said it was worried that a rise in teenage drinking would lead to more people suffering alcohol-related illnesses at younger ages. | The group said it was worried that a rise in teenage drinking would lead to more people suffering alcohol-related illnesses at younger ages. |
Speaking about Mr Reinbach's case, a spokeswoman said: "This doesn't surprise us at all, sadly. | Speaking about Mr Reinbach's case, a spokeswoman said: "This doesn't surprise us at all, sadly. |
"Statistics show that more people are getting liver disease in their 30s and, if more teenagers are drinking, people will become seriously ill at a younger age." | "Statistics show that more people are getting liver disease in their 30s and, if more teenagers are drinking, people will become seriously ill at a younger age." |
A UCL spokeswoman said they extended their sympathies to the family at this "difficult time". |