Posted: 11 September 2020

Buckinghamshire families urged to talk about organ donation

During Organ Donation Week, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust are urging people to talk to their families about organ donation to increase the number of people whose lives can be saved or transformed by an organ transplant.

From 20^th May this year, the law around organ donation has now changed in England. All adults are now considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die, unless they record a decision not to donate, are in one of the excluded groups or have told their family that they don’t want to donate.

Three local Buckinghamshire families have shared their organ donation stories to help raise awareness and share their experiences.

Sue’s story

“My son was aged 36 when he died in December 2012. He was already on the organ donor register, so my ex-husband and I were happy to go along with his wishes.

We had a marvellous donor nurse who kept me informed every step of the way – she was key in keeping me sane in the early stages before the reality of what had happened kicked in. I did receive letters from three of the recipients and they served to cement what had occurred. Two of the recipients were young teenagers and it was good to know they now had a life ahead of them.

Nothing, nothing, nothing can ever make up for the loss of my beloved son but the donation of his organs made sense rather than have them destroyed at his cremation. I hope the recipients think of their donor every day as I do.”

Jean’s story

“We lost our Mum in June 2016, she had an underlying health condition that she knew about for years but just got on with life. When we got to the hospital the doctor came to speak to me, my partner and my Dad and in the Relatives Room there was a lovely nurse who explained she worked as an Organ Donation Co-ordinator for the hospital. She explained to us that Mum was on the organ donation register and that she had been for 15 years.

To start with my Dad said no but I explained that there was a reason Mum was on the register and she wanted to help others after she had gone. She had helped people all her life and this was her way of giving something back.  The Organ Donation Co-ordinator explained that she would stay with my Mum and go with her to theatre and everything would be done with dignity and respect, they even took hand prints of my Mum’s hand.

The following day they rang us to let us know that she had been able to donate her liver, kidneys, lungs, skin as well as her corneas and some bone.

Our Mum saved the life of four men that day and we received some lovely letters from the recipients. I read them often and it brings me comfort to know that they are alive because of my Mum.

In 2017 my partner and I were invited to Guildford Town Hall to receive the Order of St John UK Award for Organ Donation on behalf of my Mum and we got to meet other organ donation families as well as say thank you to the Organ Donation Co-ordinator.

I know I can’t bring my Mum back but I can make sure that all my family are on the organ donation register now.”

Sue’s story

“Barry was the love of my life, my soulmate and we were together for 50 years. My husband’s organs were donated in February 2018 and it was so comforting to myself and my family when were informed that he had saved the lives of two people who could now live on with their families.

The team that dealt with us were very sympathetic and explained everything to us step by step. They were very professional and nothing was too much trouble, we had a dedicated nurse who was excellent and very caring.

It’s so nice that Barry is remembered every year on the date of his passing by Family Donor Network sending us a lovely thinking of you card in remembrance of him.

We went to a lovely ceremony to receive a certificate and an award for Barry’s organ donation. Hopefully next year we will get to the remembrance service that is held every year for donors.

Following Barry’s donation and the wonderful support we received several of our family have now become donors.

I would just like to say a great big thank you for the care and support that we are given and were also given during a very difficult time.”

Find out more and register your decision by visiting NHS Organ Donor Register and share your decision with your family.