![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/skynews-darren-white-lung-transplant_7213270.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA skin patch from an organ donor helped a patient discover his body was rejecting his new lung, leading him to get swifter treatment.<\/p>\n
Darren White was one of the first lung transplant patients to have a patch from their donor grafted onto the skin.<\/p>\n
The 53-year-old was given steroids when tests showed his body was rejecting his lung three months after the operation.<\/p>\n
Over a year later, he is doing well and said he can now be “more of a dad” to his toddler, Daniel, because he can walk and take him to the park.<\/p>\n
Experts leading the Sentinel trial said the skin flap, which is grafted on to patients’ forearms at the same time of their lung transplant, acts as a window.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Image:
\n The 53-year-old and his son Daniel. Pic: PA<\/p>\n
Scientists believe the skin reacts earlier than other organs and is more visible, meaning medics can treat rejection as soon as a rash appears in order to cut the risk of permanent damage.<\/p>\n
So far 10 patients have received 10cm by 3cm patches from their organ donor as part of the study.<\/p>\n
In 2024, the former bus driver was diagnosed with lung fibrosis, which causes the lungs to become scarred and leads to breathing difficulties.<\/p>\n
He had a transplant later that year and said he did not hesitate to agree when approached about the Sentinel trial while he was on the waiting list.<\/p>\n
“Anything that might help to avoid rejection was worth a try,” Mr White, from Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, said.<\/p>\n
“Rejection is the biggest fear of any transplant recipient, so having something that might be able to catch it much sooner than otherwise was really appealing.”<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/skynews-darren-white-lung-transplant_7213271.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Image:
\n The skin patch grafted on to Mr White’s forearm. Pic: PA<\/p>\n
Lung rejection is typically hard to detect because it can involve blood tests, biopsies and X-rays, according to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).<\/p>\n
Rates of rejection are typically highest in the first three to six months post-surgery and occur in almost a third of patients.<\/p>\n
Three months after his transplant, Mr White noticed a purple rash on the flap and sent photos to doctors.<\/p>\n
A biopsy showed mild rejection, and he was treated with steroids.<\/p>\n
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