THINK more about donating your organs.

That's the message from a 17-year-old Swindon boy, after a transplant saved his life.

Matthew Fairs, from Mildenhall Way, Penhill, says he would not be alive today were it not for the 19-year-old mystery heart donor who saved his life, five months before a six-month donor deadline was up.

The teenager has had a trying life, diagnosed with heart defect cadiomyopathy, when he was three, and then Burkitt's Lymphoma, a form of cancer, two years later. But he says he is asking for people to donate their organs not only as a lucky recipient, but also as a donor himself.

Matthew donated some of the valves from his own heart, which in turn saved two lives.

"I think that if people can donate they must say yes', because you never know when your organs can save a life, like my heart valves," he said.

"They saved the life of a little boy and a little girl.

"I do know it is a hard decision to make but at the end of the day you never know when you or someone you love is going to be in that situation.

"If people can bring themselves to do it I think they should."

Matthew's heart condition was discovered at five when it was found his heart was not functioning well enough to pump blood sufficiently to his body.

The North Star student says the trials and tribulations of his childhood have made him a stronger person both physically and mentally.

He added that although he was pleased to have been saved by another donor, he was also saddened by the fact she had to lose her life for his own to be saved.

He said: "If I could say one thing to her right now it would be thank you for giving me your heart' and that it was a very kind gesture.

"I would also say sorry for having to take it."

Matthew has endured much in his young life, having twice fought off the cancer he was diagnosed with at three years old after a lump was discovered on his neck.

His mum, Angela, was pleased but frightened when she got the call from the transplant official.

She said: "We were first told that Matthew had six months to live, he was then put on the transplant shortlist.

"About five weeks into the wait we had received a call that a possible donor had been located."

She said she was motivated to go public with the family story to help find donors for others who are in desperate need.

Having grown up with Ron Carter, the 59-year-old featured in the Advertiser last week, who has been waiting for a heart transplant for eight months, she hopes her son's story can inspire potential donors for him and others.

She said: "I hope that Matthew's story helps bring in some donors for all the donors but having grown up with Ron and his family I am hoping he doesn't have to wait much longer."

The Advertiser's Gift of Life initiative is aimed at getting more Swindon people to give blood and sign up to the organ donor register.

To become a registered donor call 0845 6060 400 or visit the website at www.uktransplant. org.uk.

Are you, or a member of your family, in a similar situation? Do you need a transplant?

If so call the Advertiser newsdesk on 01793 501802 or email estreatfield@newswilts.co.uk.