A Cumbrian NHS trust is urging people to leave their loved ones certain about organ donation.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is marking Organ Donation week by encouraging everyone to have a conversation with their family about whether they want to be an organ donor or not. That way if the worst could happen you have left them certain.
Throughout the week the trust is sharing:
- Information from our specialist organ donation nurse, who explains the difference she sees personally from families who donate: “One family said a light went on in the darkness when donation was discussed on the night they lost their loved one. They feel their loved one lives on with others as their donation has saved the lives of four adults and one infant
- An inspiring story from a gentleman whose wife saved many lives after her death with organ donations. He says: “I remember Lynn told me that she thought the one of us who survived would find it of help. At the time I hadn’t appreciated what that meant but I now realise that organ donation provides a structure which allows a more time to be with your partner at the end. There’s also a sense of purpose.”
- A story of a gentleman whose life was saved thanks to the generous donation of another’s heart. In his powerful story he says: “I am living proof that those conversations are necessary and well worth it. Because of a discussion that gave me a heart, I was able to attend my son’s wedding just nine months later.”
A number of buildings and landmarks will also be lit up pink throughout the week to support National Organs Donation Week.
“One person donating after their death can provide life-saving transplants for up to nine recipients; restore eyesight for up to four people and prevent another six people from going blind,” said Jacqueline Newby, specialist organ donation nurse.
“They can also transform lives of a further 40 people through transplanting heart valves, tendon, ligaments, bone or blood vessels and in many cases lives are saved after severe burns by having donated skin grafts. Donation after death is an incredible gift.”
Despite a law change last year regarding consent for donation, the fact is that a family or a next of kin will always be consulted about organ donation.
Most families who don’t know the wishes of their loved ones will refuse donation whereas 9 in 10 families support organ donation going ahead if they knew what their loved one wanted.
You can record your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Jacqueline added: “One family said a light went on in the darkness when donation was discussed on the night they lost their loved one. Over several years, I have met with this family and they feel their loved one lives on with others as their donation has saved the lives of four adults and one infant.
“Knowing this family and seeing their pride in the lifesaving organ donor they became, is so humbling. Being involved with donor families is the most rewarding part of my job.”
Waiting lists on the rise
COVID has reduced the number of people able to donate and the transplant waiting lists are on the increase as a result, so every donor is precious. The national campaign “leave them certain” hopes to get families and friends talking about donation and hopefully in turn increase the lives we save.
Jacqueline said: “It’s so important to raise awareness as we want everyone to make their own decisions about donation. The law changed in 2020, and people are considered to want donation if they have not registered an objection.
“That said, we would always discuss this with families to find out exactly what the last decision of the person was. If people have not discussed this with their loved ones, it makes things less certain at a difficult time. I would urge everyone to have a donation discussion with their nearest and dearest, so if the worst does happen you know what they would want you to do.”
Visit organdonation.nhs.uk for more information around donation and transplants.
Head over and register your decision on the Organ Donation Register.
“Lynn worked as a nurse for 35 years so it’s such a fitting legacy that she is also caring for others even after her death. She’s putting in a double shift.”
Lynn cared for others in life and beyond
Discussing organ donation can seem like a difficult conversation to have but for one man from Carlisle, it made all the difference when his wife died.
Lynn Smith was a mental health nurse in the NHS for 35 years. In 2017 she died following a catastrophic stroke. When her husband Simon was asked about organ donation, he already knew the answer. They had spoken about donation some years previously, which meant Simon was certain of Lynn’s decision.
Simon said: “We both agreed that if the circumstances arose, organ donation would be the next step. I remember Lynn told me that she thought the one of us who survived would find it of help. At the time I hadn’t appreciated what that meant but I now realise that organ donation provides a structure that allows more time to be with your partner at the end.
“There’s also a sense of purpose. Lynn sadly no longer had need of her organs but she was able to donate her organs to help others in real need. And I was not having to agree that life support should be turned off.
“During that time, 36 hours or more, you are with your partner and you see what is going on. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and specialist organ donation nurses provided the most compassionate care imaginable, looking after Lynn and me.
“I had time to be with Lynn and say my goodbyes and the whole process helped me come to terms with the fact that Lynn had died, including observing the brain stem tests, conducted with such care and dignity by the consultant anaesthetist, with the medical team in attendance.
“One of the specialist nurses who was working really long shift was clearly very busy organising potential recipients. But she found time to find out about Lynn and me, where we met and when we got married. She took our handprints, adding our wedding date and the current date. And she plaited a lock of Lynn’s hair, giving it me for a keepsake.
“A couple of weeks later I received a letter from the organ donation team to say that Lynn had supported four people – two kidneys, a liver and lungs. After a year I received letters from two of the recipients.
“A woman in her 40s received a kidney and was able to be the mother to her daughter who was 11 at the time and wife to her husband and was back to full health, riding her horse and competing in eventing again.
“The second was a young woman who received Lynn’s liver. She was only 17 at the time and suffered acute liver failure. She too is now back to enjoying all the things she used to enjoy.”
Fitting legacy
Jacqueline Newby specialist organ donation nurse, NCIC said: “Lynn worked as a nurse for 35 years so it’s such a fitting legacy that she is also caring for others even after her death. She’s putting in a double shift.
”One of the biggest reasons that families say no to organ donation is because they say it takes too long but I’ve found in my experience with families who have gone through organ donation that they have really appreciated the extra time with their loved ones. We certainly know that Simon did.”
Simon added: “It was very helpful to go through organ donation and to have all the extra time after Lynn’s death to say my goodbyes and be with her. I was extremely touched with the care that was given to both of us. Having had the conversation about organ donation with Lynn some years before, it made it a very easy decision and I was certain of Lynn’s wishes.”
This week – organ donation week we urge everyone to please have the conversation, you can make huge difference if you leave them certain.
Register your decision on the Organ Donation Register.