Cystic Fibrosis Woman Dies After Transplant

The father of a woman born with cystic fibrosis who died after being given a lung transplant from a smoker is calling for hospitals to tell patients about a donor's health history.

Jennifer Wederell, 27, died of cancer on August 24 at her home in Hawkwell, Essex, 16 months after being given the transplant at Harefield Hospital in London.

She was not told at the time of the transplant that the middle-aged donor had been a smoker.

Now Jennifer's father, Colin Grannell, says people facing organ transplants should be told of any adverse history from the donor that might affect a successful transplant.

He says he does not think his daughter would have agreed to the transplant if she had known the full facts.

The hospital says it is sorry she was not given the choice.

Jennifer, who  was on oxygen for 24 hours a day by her mid-20s, had been on the waiting list for a lung transplant for 18 months when she was told there was a match in April 2011.

She received the transplant and married her long-term boyfriend, David, that same year.

But by February of this year, less than a year after the operation, Mrs Wederell had been diagnosed with cancer, with the terrible news that it had spread.

"The shock immediately turned to anger in so far as all the risks were explained in the hour before her transplant and not once was the fact that a smoker's lungs would be used mentioned," Mr Grannell told the Daily Mail.

"She was dying a death that was meant for someone else."

Mr Grannell has set up a Facebook site, Jennifer's Choice, to encourage non-smokers to sign up to the organ donor register.

The Royal Brompton Hospital Trust told Sky News: "The Trust has reiterated its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Jennifer Wederell for their very sad loss.

"It is very rare for patients to specify that they do not wish to be considered for clinically healthy lungs from smokers.

"This is because the risks are much higher if patients decline donor lungs from a former smoker, and decide to wait for another set of organs which are both a match for them and from a non-smoker, to become available.

"However we recognise that Jennifer should have been given the opportunity to make this choice. We have apologised sincerely for this oversight.

"Regrettably, the number of lungs available for transplantation would fall by 40% if there was a policy of refusing those which have come from a smoker; waiting lists would increase and many more patients would die without a transplant."

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Jamaicans Rescued After Three Weeks Adrift

Five Jamaicans say they drifted on their small boat in the Caribbean for three weeks before being rescued by a cruise ship.

The Island Princess came to the men's rescue on Monday and brought the group on board in a 45-minute operation.

"We noticed the boat slowing down," said passenger Andy Greenberg of Omaha, Nebraska.

"We pulled up and the occupants were screaming: 'No food, no water.'"

Mr Greenberg said the motor on the boat had broken down.

The Jamaicans told cruise workers they were on their way to a barbecue and ran out of fuel, according to Princess Cruises spokeswoman Susanne Ferrull. 

She did not know their condition or ages.

The Island Princess docked in Florida. Pic: Jean-Philippe Boulet

The Island Princess left Fort Lauderdale a week ago and was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday in Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

The Jamaicans asked the cruise workers to give them fuel so they could continue on their way, but that is not the company's usual procedure.

The cruise captain notified the Jamaican authorities and then passengers about the rescue over the ship's public address system.

The Coast Guard declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

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Instagram Pic Policy Change Prompts Backlash

Some Instagram users are threatening to abandon the service after the firm announced it was giving itself the right to sell people's photos to advertisers.

The Facebook-owned photo-sharing network is introducing new terms of service on January 16 which are an automatic opt-in - unless people decide to leave.

The new terms mean Instagram can share information about the people using the service with Facebook - and with its advertisers.

As well as giving itself the right to sell people's pictures, the new terms mean users will receive no payment themselves and will receive no notification about what is happening to their images.

Tech website BuzzFeed said: "There's an adage that's basically a cliche in tech now: if you are not paying for it, you're not the customer. You're the product being sold.

"Well, there's a reason that it's become cliche, and that's because it's true - over and over and over again."

Instagram users were quick to take to social media such as Twitter to voice their concern - and in some cases their outrage.

User Wardina Safiyyah tweeted: "Shud we all leave IG now? Instagram says it now has the right to sell your photos."

Fellow user maggielmcg wrote: "Bye Instagram. As of Jan they will be able to sell user's pics as stock photos with no revenue share."

John Frankel was more forthright, tweeting: "DISGUSTING: Instagram says it now has the right to sell your photos."

Wired even wrote an online article telling users How to Download Your Instagram Photos and Kill Your Account.

Instagram explained the changes in its new terms of service, saying: "Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue.

"To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you."

Sarah Byrt, of intellectual property specialist Mayer Brown, said: "Instagram may face another user backlash once people see how their photos are used.

"It makes it all the more important that users check their privacy settings. Legally, it doesn't mean Instagram can ignore other rights.

"For example, if the user had taken a picture of someone famous without their consent, or had taken a picture of something protected by copyright, Instagram - or the company using the picture in an ad - still need to think about those issues."

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Norovirus: New Warning About Vomiting Bug

Almost 880,000 people could have been affected by an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, according to health officials.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says the number of confirmed cases of norovirus is 83% higher than the same time last year,

So far this season, there have been 3,046 cases in England and Wales, compared to just 1,669 cases last season.

But for every reported case there are likely to be a further 288 unreported sufferers, warns the HPA.

The bug has swept the country and has led to the closure of dozens of hospital wards.

It has also affected holidaymakers on two P&O cruise ships, the Oriana and the Azura.

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces and objects.

It is known to spread rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

Anyone displaying norovirus symptoms is urged to stay indoors

Symptoms include sudden vomiting, diarrhoea, or both, a temperature, headache and stomach cramps. The bug usually goes away within a few days.

Although people can suffer from norovirus at any time of the year, activity increases in the winter months, with most cases seen between January and March.

John Harris, a norovirus expert at the HPA, said: "The number of laboratory confirmed cases has risen again, following the drop in the number we reported last week.

"Norovirus is very contagious so we would urge anyone who thinks they may be unwell with norovirus to stay at home and stay away from hospitals and care homes.

"The infection is short-lived although it is very unpleasant while you are unwell. Most people will not need to go to see their doctor and will recover in a couple of days. It is important to take plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration."

A Department of Health spokesperson said the NHS was "well prepared" for the increase in health problems which are typical at this time of year.

The spokesperson added: "Our weekly published figures show the number of beds closed across the NHS due to norovirus symptoms is around 2%. This compares to 2.9% of beds that were closed during the peak of norovirus cases last winter."

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Queen At Downing Street For Cabinet Meeting

The Queen has become the first monarch since the 18th century to attend Cabinet on a special visit to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The monarch was met by Prime Minister David Cameron on the steps of Number 10, which had been covered with a red carpet for the occasion.

She wore a deep blue coat and matching dress by Stuart Parvin - immediately dubbed "Thatcheresque" by commentators.

The Queen made the trip without Prince Philip to collect a present bought by the Secretaries of State to mark her 60-year reign.

Cabinet members clubbed together to buy her a set of 60 placemats - one for each year she has spent on the throne.

The mats, which are bespoke and show traditional images of Buckingham Palace, were suggested by the Queen's own aides and made by a Gloucestershire company called Lady Clare Limited.

Officials refused to disclose the value of the gifts. An unspecified donation was also made to the Diamond Jubilee Trust.

Mr Cameron met the Queen outside Number 10

Ministers lined up to shake hands with the monarch before they all went into the final Cabinet of the year.

The Queen took her chance during the meet-and-greet to quiz George Osborne about Britain's gold reserves.

She then sat between Mr Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague for her half-hour stint at the famous Cabinet table.

The Queen is thought to be the first monarch to attend Cabinet since George III in 1781, despite earlier claims Queen Victoria did so.

She only stayed for the first section before leaving ministers to their discussions and moving on to the Foreign Office.

During the meeting, Mr Cameron offered her a "very warm welcome" and congratulated her "on a fantastic jubilee year".

He said Downing Street had researched the last monarch to visit Cabinet and believe it dates back to the 18th century.

George VI, the Queen's father, met Cabinet during World War II, but apparently did not go to the standard meeting.

"We think the last time a monarch came to the Cabinet was in 1781, during the American War of Independence, but I'm happy to report that relations have improved slightly since then," Mr Cameron said.

Some of the 60 placemats given to the Queen

The Queen joked "gently and humorously" that the Cabinet could make the next Queen's Speech on "the shorter rather than the longer side".

The only other moment she spoke was to wish ministers "happy Christmas" as she left.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said all Cabinet ministers had ensured their shoes were "shiny, freshly polished" for the special visit.

"The Queen seemed very relaxed, in a very good mood and took an enormous interest in the Cabinet discussion," he revealed.

"I think people were perhaps more considered in what they say, but nevertheless it was a proper discussion on the general economic situation and the inflation figures and Afghanistan."

He dismissed warnings from some quarters that the Queen was crossing a constitutional line by attending the Cabinet.

"We are her Cabinet, we operate for her. She was sat in the seat where the Prime Minister traditionally sits and, given it's her Cabinet, she can come any time she wants," he said.

Sky's royal commentator Alastair Bruce said: "It is significant because in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year it puts a focus on what headship of the state is all about and that is supervising the democratic process."

The Foreign Office has also announced that the southern part of British Antarctic Territory is to be named "Queen Elizabeth Land" to mark the jubilee.

The region is a barren, landlocked ice and snow-covered area uninhabited by people and virtually devoid of animal life.

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Landslide: Charlotte Blackman Death 'Accidental'

A young man has relived the moment 400 tons of rock buried his girlfriend as they walked beneath a cliff during a family holiday.

Matthew Carnell told an inquest how he noticed "two small stones" drop before "half the cliff face" crashed onto Freshwater Beach in Dorset, burying Charlotte Blackman.

Details of the tragedy were revealed during an inquest into the young care volunteer's death at Dorchester County Hall.

Miss Blackman, from Heanor, was spending a day at the beach with her father, 12-year-old brother Mitchell, his school friend, and Mr Carnell.

Charlotte's mother Rachel remained at their caravan park nearby.

Giving evidence at the hearing, Mr Carnell said the group inadvertently walked into the path of tragedy after deciding to return to camp along the beach.

"Within a minute, my attention was drawn to two small stones," he said.

"Almost immediately, I looked up at the cliff and saw half the cliff face fall a few metres from the sea."

Mr Carnell, who had been with Charlotte for several years, continued: "It happened so fast, it was the blink of an eye. We had no time to get out of the way.

"I grabbed Mitchell and ran a few metres into the sea. With that, a large dust cloud appeared and it was impossible to see for 20 seconds.

"I turned to the area where the cliff face fell, boulders the size of a hay stack. I couldn't see Charlotte at all.

"The height of the boulders from ground level was higher than 10ft. People approached and told us to get out of the way.

"It was complete chaos. I was in a panic and all I could think about was to get Charlotte out of there. I didn't want to stop until I found her.

"I was 10ft away from Charlotte at the time (of the landslide).

The Jurassic cliffs in Dorset where Charlotte was killed

"I remember seeing two little stones, no bigger than a 10p piece. Then the whole lot came down."

Asked by the coroner if there were any signs of cliff fall, Mr Carnell said: "There were a few boulders but they looked like they had been there for years."

Horrified eyewitnesses called emergency services while Miss Blackman's partner and her father desperately tried to pull her to safety.

Mr Blackman himself was also injured in the cliff fall.

He told onlookers concerned for his safety during the rescue attempts that if he was going to "go", it would be with his daughter.

There were conflicting accounts, as witnesses reported up to three different landslides along the beach before the one which killed Miss Blackman.

Her father, however, said he would not have taken his children along the beach if there had been evidence of recent landslides.

The death came a fortnight after Somerset couple Rosemary Snell, 67, and Michael Rolfe, 72, were killed in a landslide at the Beaminster Tunnel, less than 10 miles from Freshwater, following days of extremely heavy rainfall.

But the coroner heard evidence from a scientific expert that the weather may have had little impact on the fatal cliff fall which killed Miss Blackman.

Coroner Sheriff Payne told the hearing Miss Blackman's death could not have been predicted.

He said the National Trust appeared to be doing all it could to warn visitors of the dangers presented by the 100ft cliffs.

And he said there was not sufficient evidence to say if the weather had played a part in the landslide.

He had heard concerns that heavy rain in the county in the preceding weeks may have triggered large sections of the cliff to fall.

He said: "Sadly, Charlotte Blackman died as a result of an accident. It was a sudden act of nature that nobody could have predicted at that time."

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Sandy Hook Shootings: Protest At Gun Lobby HQ

Protesters have marched on the headquarters of the US gun lobby as the clamour for tighter firearm controls grows in the wake of the Newtown school massacre.

As the first two funerals for young victims of the Sandy Hook shooting took place, 75 activists descended on the Washington DC headquarters of the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA).

The protesters chanted: "Shame on the NRA," and demanded the organisation drop its hardline stance and make way for new gun control laws.

"More than anyone else, the NRA is responsible for the more than 12,000 people murdered by guns every year in this country," said Josh Nelson, the campaign manager for the progressive Credo Action group that organised the protest.

"We call on the NRA's lobbyists to stand down and allow Congress to pass common-sense gun laws."

The activists' cause has been backed by two pro-gun US senators, who have come out in favour of reform after the murder of 20 children and six adults at the elementary school.

Democrats Mark Warner and Joe Manchin, who have so-called "A" ratings from the NRA, said the Newtown massacre has convinced them the time for change has come.

Gunman Adam Lanza

West Virginia's Senator Manchin told MSNBC it was time to "move beyond rhetoric" on gun control.

He said: "I don't know anyone in the sporting or hunting arena that goes out with an assault rifle. It's common sense."

Senator Warner said "the status quo isn't acceptable" and in a later interview called for "rational gun control".

Connecticut governor Dannel Malloy called for changes to the law during an emotional news conference, where he broke down while describing the ordeal of parents who lost their children at Sandy Hook.

He said: "You try to feel their pain, but you can't. You try to find some words that you hope will be adequate, knowing that they will be inadequate, and you see little coffins and your heart has to break."

He added: "I'm a big believer in hunting rights and a big believer in supporting the Second Amendment, but there's a reality that this stuff has gone too far and is too easy to own.

"Do I think Washington DC needs to get its act together and enact stricter gun control laws at the federal level? You bet I do."

New York's popular mayor Michael Bloomberg made an appearance flanked by relatives of shooting victims and demanded that President Barack Obama make good on his promise to tackle gun violence in the US.

On Sunday, Mr Obama told residents at a vigil in Newtown the US must do more to protect its children.

Since then, White House spokesman Jay Carney has said tighter gun control laws are part of the answer to violence in the US, but the president did not have a specific policy to announce.

Mr Obama is understood to support reinstating a ban on assault rifles that expired in 2004.

Since the shootings, the NRA has been silent.

Requests for comments have gone unanswered, and officials are turning down interview requests until they have more details.

The NRA's 1.7 million-strong Facebook group has disappeared, and the group's Twitter account - which is a favourite platform to communicate with supporters - has not sent a message since before the grim reality of Friday's shootings set in.

Governor Dan Malloy was emotional after victim Noah Pozner's funeral

The massacre has prompted private capital group Cerberus Capital Management to sell its shareholding in Freedom Group, which manufactures the the Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle used. 

The Dick's Sporting Goods chain also announced it was suspending sales of modern rifles and removing all guns from display at stores near Newtown during "this time of national mourning".

But the industry remains powerful, directly employing more than 98,000 people and generating another 111,000 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries, according to the US firearms trade association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

It also says the firearms and ammunition industry was responsible for as much as $31.84 billion in total economic activity in the country in 2012 and, along with its employees, paid $2.07 billion in taxes.

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Photos Helped Save Baby Danny Davies' Life

The life of a baby with a rare heart condition was saved by a trip to a professional photographer.

Neil and Fran Davies had booked the session for some pictures of their son Danny, who was just a few weeks old.

Danny's illness was spotted after a photo session. Paul Inskip Photography

When the photographs were developed, the parents noticed purple blotches on Danny's skin had got worse and his hands and feet looked almost blue.

Mrs Davies mentioned her concerns about the blotches to a community nurse who sent them to their GP to get Danny's oxygen levels checked.

It was the first step in a chain of events that ended in life-saving treatment at Southampton General Hospital, where baby Danny was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD).

Mrs Davies, from Felpham, near Bognor Regis in West Sussex, said: "At this point, we were remarkably calm and still didn't think it was that serious. We waited in the kitchen on ocean ward in Southampton while the doctors performed some tests on Danny.

Danny's parents noticed blotches on Danny's skin. Paul Inskip Photography

"Next thing we knew we were ushered through to a private room and told Danny had a very rare congenital heart condition and was critically ill. He was struggling to get oxygen around his body and we were told the next 24 hours were critical.

"We couldn't quite believe how quickly he'd deteriorated: we went from thinking our son was a healthy newborn to being told his life was in danger within the space of a few hours.

"In fact, we were told that if we'd taken 15 minutes longer to get to Southampton, Danny might not have made it - it was almost unbelievable."

Back home with mum Fran

PA-VSD is a very rare congenital malformation of the heart where the pulmonary valve fails to develop properly, obstructing the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs.

It was a nail-biting time for Mrs Davies, 23, and Mr Davies, a 22-year-old mechanic.

Danny spent four months in hospital undergoing further surgery to reconstruct his heart.

Finally, in October 2010, he returned home. He is now two, has a little sister called Sky and has a new home more suited to his care.

Hospital staff call Danny a real fighter

But he has undergone a further 12 procedures and will need to visit hospital regularly.

Danny has also been referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to see if further treatment, including the possibility of a heart and lung transplant, will help him.

Kevin Roman, consultant in paediatric cardiology, said: "Danny is one of the most complex patients we have ever seen and has been through an incredible journey in his short life.

"He's such a fighter and has quite a fan base here. We will continue to do everything we can for Danny and give him the best outlook in the coming years."

Danny will need regular hospital visits

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Olympics: Boxing Wins Funding Boost For Rio

UK Sport has announced a record pot of £347m to be invested into elite sport in the run-up to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games with boxing given the biggest boost.

Boxing is to receive a 44% increase in funding following the success of the likes of Nicola Adams, Anthony Joshua and Luke Campbell at the London Olympics.

Rowing, cycling, athletics and gymnastics have also been given budget increases for the next four years.

But after its disappointing performance at London 2012 swimming has had its budget slashed to £21.4m, down from £25.1m.

Team GB's swimmers won just three medals, with two going to Rebecca Adlington. Their target was five to seven.

Volleyball is also having its funding cut (down to £400,000 from £3.5m), while basketball, handball, wrestling and table tennis will miss out on the cash altogether after all missing their performance targets in London.

The huge increase in the boxing budget is the biggest for any sport. Some £13.8m will be invested, though £9.55m is conditional on the sport sorting out some internal issues.

Cycling is up to £30.6m from £26.3m, athletics has a £1.7m increase to £26.8m, rowing up from £27.3m to £32.6m, and gymnastics up from £10.8m to £14.5m.

Investment in Paralympic sport also rises dramatically, up 43% on London 2012.

Altogether, UK Sport has announced a record 11% increase in funding for Olympic and Paralympic sports until 2016. No nation has ever put more money into sport after hosting a Games.

UK Sport has set a target for Rio 2016 of at least 66 Olympic medals and 121 Paralympic medals - one more each than the 65 and 120 won in this year's Games.

The funding body's chief executive Liz Nicholl said: "We want to be the first nation in recent history to be more successful in the Olympics and Paralympics post-hosting."

UK Sport's chairman Sue Campbell admitted some sports would be devastated by the news.

She added however: "It isn't about being popular it's about making tough decisions about where public money goes."

Ms Nicholl added that swimming had been braced for bad news.

She said: "It won't be a surprise because we and they were disappointed that they didn't perform in London. They will get there."

She called on those sports disappointed by their decisions "to improve their base, their competition structure, and drive up competition before they can really compete for medals at a world level".

"We have been guided by our no-compromise approach," she added.

British Basketball described the decision to cut its funding totally ahead of Rio as "devastating" and a "waste" of previous investment.

British Cycling's Chief Executive Ian Drake welcomed his sport's budget rise, calling it "recognition of the success of our riders, our coaches and the work we put into identifying new talent".

British Gymnastics, celebrating a 34% boost in funding after London, likewise said it was "delighted" by the increase - helped by Team GB's landmark men's team bronze, Louis Smith and Max Whitlock's pommel horse silver and bronze, and Beth Tweddle's asymmetric bars bronze at this year's Games. They had been set a target of just one to two medals.

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Cancer Boy Surgery Ruling Defies Mum's Wishes

A judge has ruled that a seven-year-old boy should have surgery to remove a brain tumour despite the objections of his mother.

Mr Justice Bodey said an operation to remove a "residual tumour" left behind after earlier surgery should go ahead even though Neon Roberts' mother, Sally, refused to consent.

A doctor treating Neon said a scan showed the surgery needed to be carried out "urgently".

He said the tumour could spread without the operation and it was "highly likely" Neon would die within a "relatively short period" without further treatment.

Ms Roberts had told the court she wanted opinions from more doctors before proceeding with further surgery.

It is understood Neon could have the operation today.

Until the presence of the tumour was found by the scan, the court had been due to rule on whether Neon should undergo radiation treatment for cancer, a move that had also been opposed by Ms Roberts.

She told an earlier hearing she was concerned the radiotherapy would have a "damaging effect" on Neon's future.

The boy's father Ben, who lives in London and is separated from Ms Roberts, agreed to the radiotherapy but was "apprehensive", the court heard.

Mr Justice Bodey is expected to hear more argument on the radiotherapy issue at the High Court on Thursday after being updated on Neon's progress.

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