Honouring the true lifesavers with The Order of St John award

Losing a loved one is a traumatic and distressing time so it is understandable if organ donation is the last thing on the minds of the people left behind.

But making that decision could change the lives of others.

Sadly, the number of people in need of a transplant far outnumbers the amount of organs available and many on the waiting list end up dying before they get the chance of an operation.

Earlier this month, the first aid charity St John Ambulance, in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), held a special event at the charity’s Sussex headquarters in Brighton.

It was held to present The Order of St John award for Organ Donation to the families and loved ones of those who saved and improved people’s lives through organ donation.

The awards were presented by the High Sheriffs of East and West Sussex, Chris Gebbie and Jonathan Lucas.

NHS Blood and Transplant and the Order of St John are both keen to recognise the incredible gift that donors and their families have made by donating their organs to save and improve the lives of others.

James Walsh, chairman of the Sussex County Priory Group of the Order of St John, said: “We’re delighted to be able to work with NHS Blood and Transplant to run the organ donor awards for a second year.

“Organ donation can clearly save lives and it is also vitally important to say thank you to the families whose loved ones have already donated their organs to assist others.

“With around three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act to help others to live. We hope the example they have set will encourage many more to follow in their footsteps and agree to become an organ donor.”

Last year, between April 2013 and March 2014, saw the largest number of deceased organ donors as the families of 1,320 people in Britain agreed to donate their loved ones’ organs, leading to thousands of patients’ lives being saved or transformed.

Sally Johnson, NHSBT director of organ donation and transplantation, said: “We launched this award scheme last year and were overwhelmed by the pride and experiences shared by the hundreds of families who accepted the award on their loved one’s behalf.

“It never ceases to amaze me just how humble people are when you speak to them about having helped to save the lives of patients who were desperately ill. I have never spoken to a single person who has ever regretted their decision to donate.

“These families deserve this honour and recognition of their life-saving gifts.

“We hope their bravery will inspire others to talk about their own wishes with people close to them and record their intention to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

Case study

Chef Daniel Daughtery, 29, died last year after an undetected tumour at the top of his spine crushed his brain stem.

The young man, pictured right, went into cardiac arrest hours after finishing work at the Beach House restaurant in Shoreham.

He had complained of headaches in the weeks leading up to his death and was found semi-conscious by his partner at their home in Shoreham on September 22.

He later died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Mr Daughtery had already signed up to be an organ donor and after his death he helped save the lives of several people.

His heart was given to a man in his 30s, his lungs to a man in his 50s who had advanced lung disease and his liver was given to a man in his 50s.

One kidney was given to a man who had chronic kidney disease.

His other kidney was too small to be donated but it has been used for medical research.

His mother Glynn Daughtery, 60, said she did not realise the full extent of organ donation when doctors asked for Daniel’s skin, bone, pancreas and other tissues.

His skin was used to help someone who had severe burns and the bone in his left leg helped with healing following orthopaedic operations.

His tendons have been used to treat sports injuries and his pancreas was transplanted into a man in his 50s.

After the awards ceremony, Mrs Daughtery said: “It was a highly emotional day.

“There were tears and sadness but a lot of pride as well. I felt privileged and proud to be there and for Daniel to be recognised in this way.

“I would say to people that it is a difficult process to go through but the organ donor teams were amazing.

“They took you through every step and provided support afterwards as well.

“I would please urge people to think about joining the organ donor register because they are always so desperately in need.

“The way I would put it is to ask this: If your loved one were dying and you needed a donated organ to survive, would you take it?

“If the answer is yes, then it may be time to consider it from a different angle and be prepared to be donor yourself if the time ever comes.”

Case study

Clive Rees, 75, from Cuckfield, died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton in April 2013 after suffering a stroke.

He had been out celebrating the arrival of his eighth grandchild but fell critically ill on the way home.

Mr Rees and his wife Annie, 66, had already spoken to each other about organ donation and she knew he was signed up to the register.

This made things easier when Mrs Rees, pictured right, was approached by hospital staff.

Mr Rees was left on life support for a further 24 hours while tests were carried out, giving his family and close friends time to say goodbye.

Mr Rees’s kidneys were given to a lady of 57 and a man of 22 received his liver. His eyes have also been donated and his skin is being used for research.

Mrs Rees said: “That was an important thing for us all and it did help.

“The one thing I really want to point out is that it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still help.

“There is always something that is needed.

“There are a lot of people out there who may feel they are too old to sign up – as our experience has shown, they are not.

“I was surprised at the very small number of people involved with the ceremony and it shows how much we urgently need people to sign up.

“It is a difficult thing to do but you will help other people get a chance of life – and that is worth so much.”

Case study

Gordon Matthews died in May 2013 at the age of 75 after suffering a major stroke.

He was taken to Worthing Hospital but died a few days later.

He was on a ventilator but it was only right towards the end that his family thought about organ donation.

His daughter Nicola Matthews, 40, from Sompting, near Worthing, said: “Although he did not have a donor card, we thought about it and decided that it would be nice if we could do it. It was only afterwards that we heard he had been speaking to a friend only a week before his stroke about organ donation and he said that if anything happened to him, he would like that to happen.

“It is comforting and reassuring for us as a family to realise that we did do something that he would have wanted.”

Mr Matthews’ liver was given to a 52-year-old man.

Miss Matthews said: “We had always thought organ donation was common but it isn’t. Our own experience has taught us just how important it is to sit down and talk about this. It isn’t an easy subject but if your relatives know, it makes it much easier if the worst happens.

“It also shows that age is not an issue either. At the age of 75, my father has helped a man of 52 have a second chance of life.

“That is something that has helped us a great deal as a family.”

Ms Matthews said the organ donor team at Worthing Hospital were amazing, helping the family every step of the way.

“This has made us reassess organ donation and we would urge other people to make that decision. If just one person does it and goes on to save a life, then that would be a great thing.

The award winners

Those who attended the ceremony included:
Glynis Daughtery, from Southwick, who received the award on behalf of her son, Daniel Daughtery.
Nicola Matthews, from Sompting, who received the award on behalf of her father, Gordon Matthews.
Patricia Parlain, from Hastings, who received the award on behalf of her father, Robert Parlain.
Louise Paterson, from Brighton, who received the award on behalf of her daughter, Samantha Paterson-Sleep.
Adrian Pacelli, from Burgess Hill, who received the award on behalf of his uncle, Graham Payne.
Annie Rees, from Cuckfield, who received the award on behalf of her husband, Clive Rees.
Those who opted to have the award sent to them privately by post included:
Siobhan Edgar, from Shoreham, who received the award on behalf of her father, Robert Conway.
Christine Kruk, from Horsham, who received the award on behalf of her son, Mark Kruk.

Facts and figures

Since 1 April 2014:
757 people have donated organs
1,364 people have donated corneas
2,045 people have received the gift of sight
1,950 people have received transplants
6,849 people are still waiting for transplants.

Where to sign up

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk, call 0300 123 2323 or text SAVE to 62323.