THE family of a teenager who underwent two kidney transplant operations has launched a support group to help other people in their predicament.

And today Faizan Awan's family urged more members of the Asian community to place themselves on the National Donor Register so people do not have to spend years attached to dialysis machines.

Faizan, 15, spent 18 months on a dialysis machine inbetween his kidneys failing and an operation using a donated one from his father, Khalid, taking place in June last year.

It was the second time Faizan had undergone such an operation, having had his first transplant when he was just three years old when his kidneys were found to be malfunctioning.

After the operation, it was feared he might need a third operation after Faizan developed an infection.

He finally returned to his school, Beardwood High School, earlier this year.

In total, he has undergone 25 operations since he was born, and before the second transplant would spend each and every night attached to a dialysis machine, purifying the blood because the kidneys had failed.

Now Khalid, and his wife, Parveen Awan, of Leamington Road, Blackburn, are setting up a support group for families across East Lancashire.

Parveen said: "Throughout this time, we have spoken to other families who are in a similar situation to us and there is obviously the need for a local support group.

"We have learnt a lot through talking to people and I think things would have been a lot better for us if we could have talked to other people who had been through a similar thing.

"We have met some other people a couple of times this year and we are now in the process of setting up a support group for people from right across the area.

"It will be there to provide help and support for people who find things a struggle."

Khalid said: "Part of the problem is the waiting. We knew quite quickly that my kidney would be suitable for the operation but then there is the waiting.

"Every day, Faizan would have to be connected to the dialysis machine. He would be cold all the time and always have to be near the heater.

"For us it was awful to watch our son, who had always been so energetic, like this."

Faizan's courage in the face of adversity earned him a £1,500 prize from the National Kidney Research Foundation when he won one of their Young Heroes awards.

He has donated that money to Blackburn with Darwen Council, who are using it to help refit Corporation Park's playground, along with lottery money.

Youngsters at Faizan's school have been given the chance to design the play area, and it will be completed next year.

But Khalid added: "For us, the best thing people can do is go and get themselves a organ donor card."

Traditionally Asian people do not donate blood and it it can be against their religion to donate organs.

Faizan has also received a Princess Diana Memorial Award for his bravery.

Anyone interested in the support group can ring 01254 721595.