'I almost died. Now I want to thank hospital staff who saved my life'

Ally McGilvray • Published 23 Feb 2010 12:23 0 Comments

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SHE lost her voice after being struck down by a deadly illness. But, after spending five months in hospital receiving treatment for acute Pancreatitis, she has refound her voice and organised a charity karaoke competition to thank staff who saved her life.

And now Moira Oakley, 40, of Court Lane, Selkirk, is appealing to big-hearted Borderers to support the fundraiser which will be held in the Focus Centre in Galashiels on April 30 at 7.30pm.

The money raised will be split between the Pancreatic Unit at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow and the MacMillan Cancer Care Unit at Borders General Hospital near Melrose.

Moira said: "I want to do this fundraiser because I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I have been through and to thank the hospital staff for their support.

"In July 2003 I came down with Pancreatitis. I was in the intensive care unit for six weeks at the BGH before I was transferred to the specialist unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

"Before then I was a healthy 34-year-old who liked to keep-fit but then I fell unconscious and ended up in hospital for five months. I only started walking on my own again in 2004."

And she added: "After I came out of the hospital I needed a lot of personal care and I couldn't do anything for myself. It was horrendous."

Pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Depending on its severity, it can have severe complications and high mortality despite treatment.

Tickets for the fundraiser, priced £5, are available from Niki's Bar in Galashiels.

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