I) ‘Appendicitis' is a condition which can happen to a person at any time during his life. II) It occurs when the ‘appendix', a small tube inside the body, becomes swollen and painful for some reason. III) It is then usually necessary to have a small operation to remove the organ. IV) Unfortunately, a scarcity of donor organs keeps thousands of patients waiting, sometimes in vain. V) This is not, however, anything to worry about as the organ is inactive, without any particular function.