As a recipient of two kidney transplants and one pancreas transplant, I am truly grateful, but I know that I will never be able to repay the gift.
What is more, no matter how hard I try to look for the right text, somehow those words will never be able to convey my gratitude. Yet, perhaps the two simplest words “Thank You,” go a little way to show my acknowledgement & appreciation.
All the same; with God’s help – I am moving forward with a strong and permanent gratitude of my donors, their families and the teams of doctors, nurses and technicians who have given me the extraordinary opportunities to enjoy and know life beyond the age of 28.
At the end of April 1991 and in January 1998, two sets of families lost treasured loved ones and yet through their grief & pain, their loss provided me with a better quality of life.
In November 1993, my understanding and sensitivity to both sides of the transplant story grew, when I lost my first wife Judith in a tragic car crash.
At that time, I was given the opportunity to let others benefit from my loss.
Suddenly, I had a little insight into what other donor families had experienced.
When asked about Judith’s possible desire to donate, I knew without any doubt the answer was yes.
Sometime later I discover that some people would gain a better quality of life.
We were able to donate organs and tissues.
Included in the list of recipients, were those who received a liver, heart valves and even corneas.
Through Judith’s death, many people had gained a better quality of life.
One such young man sent me a series of letters to say “Thank you.”
Sometime later I was able to meet him.
Yes, the meeting was emotional for both of us.
However, it was a complete delight to see how one donation made a difference.
Through receiving one of Judith’s kidney’s Nick’s quality of life greatly improved.
Nick went on to reach for greater ambitions and even moved abroad.
Perhaps part of his overwhelming gratitude was expressed when I became guest of honour at his wedding.
Today, more than 7,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant that could save or dramatically improve their life.
Most are waiting for a kidney, others for a heart, lung or liver transplant. But less than 3,000 transplants are carried out each year.
Transplants are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine. But they depend entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to make this life-saving gift to others.
To find out more about how to become a donor, please visit this web page