Around 8,500 people across the UK are currently waiting for a transplant, and the transplant waiting list is the highest it has ever been.
Most people support organ donation, but many have never taken the step of confirming their decision.
Rachel Stott and her family honoured her mum Maggy’s wishes to donate her organs, after she died suddenly aged 74, in March 2024. Her wish to donate saved two lives.
Maggy died in Ipswich Hospital, after suffering a heart attack, related to her COPD, (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
John and Maggy
Rachel, who was caring for her mum and her late dad John, at the time, said: “After my mum fell ill at home, the ambulance service and SARS (Suffolk Accident Rescue Service) came very quickly and brought her back (after a cardiac arrest).
“She was taken to hospital, but I knew then we were going to be saying goodbye to mum.”
Under the opt-out system, families are still consulted about organ donation at the end of a loved one’s life but are much more likely to support donation if they know what their relative’s wishes were.
Organ donation was always important to Maggy and her family, especially after the previous sudden death of a loved one, their wish to be an organ donor, which was honoured.
Rachel recalled: “My dad and I were approached by the organ donation specialist nurses, and we were surprised mum was eligible to donate given her age but we were told they would be able to use some of mum’s organs.
“It was important that our family had time to console each other at the hospital. We all knew Maggy’s wishes in advance and wanted to fulfil that wish if possible.
“While it takes a sacrifice because it’s your loved one and may cross religious and cultural beliefs, honouring mum’s decision saved two people’s lives and their families the pain we were going through.”
A recorded decision provides certainty for families at an incredibly difficult time. Nine in 10 families support organ donation if they know what their loved one wanted.
Rachel said: “As we knew mum’s wishes, we did not have to worry about having to decide – the process was so gentle and there was no feeling of being rushed.
“Deciding can be really time sensitive, especially if a death is unexpected and a person’s wishes were not known – it’s often a crucial time to act, if someone is waiting in hospital or at home for an organ to become available. To know mum’s wishes made things so much easier.
“Anyone can do it at any age. I was shocked at how many people are waiting for a donation.”
Organ donation specialist nurse Sinead Benefer said: “Organ Donation is facing significant challenges. The transplant list is the highest it’s ever been and sadly every day, somewhere across the UK, someone dies waiting for a transplant.
“I have the privilege of supporting families through the organ donation journey as part of their end of life care. The decision to support organ donation is never easy, especially during such a difficult time, but that decision is made a somewhat easier if the family know their loved one’s wishes.
“This is why we are encouraging everyone to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
“Families that have supported donation express comfort knowing that their loved one has left a legacy and saved the lives of others.”
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