SusanJade's Gift of Life
January 16th 2008 04:57
I was moved to tears by the interview with Debbie Stoner on ITV's This Morning show. Debbie's life was shattered when her seven-year-old daughter, Jade, died in 2006 after a road accident just outside her home.
Within a few hours of the accident, Debbie and her husband John made the decision to donate Jade's organs - an act of kindness which has saved four lives.
Debbie told BBC News: "Jade was playing outside and, for some reason, decided to cross the road. A car knocked her off her bike and it was a horrible, tragic accident," she says.
"We went to the hospital and they did checks on her but she was brain dead. My mum Barbara suggested donating Jade's organs so that her legacy could live on. I thought it was a great idea but my husband was initially against it.
"He said he wanted Jade to be left in peace - he said he didn't want her to be "hacked into pieces" but I talked to him and persuaded him to change his mind.
"Jade was all soul but when she died, all that was left was a shell. We didn't want her life to be in vain. She was the loveliest girl and was caring and giving and this was certainly the right decision.
"She has saved the lives of four people and we are immensely proud of her. Jade's heart was donated to a 10-month-old baby girl, while her liver was given to a 17-month-old baby boy.
"We have set up a website in Jade's name and when people read about her story, they have told us they feel inspired to become donors."
Last year more than 3,000 organ transplants were carried out but unfortunately around 1,000 patients die waiting for a transplant every year. Currently, only 14m people are registered on the NHS Organ Donor Register - only a quarter of the population, even though studies suggest that 90% of people are in favour of organ donation.
The government is considering a radical overhaul of organ donation procedures, including a system whereby people would have to opt out if they did not want their organs used after their death.
Debbie is in full support of this overhaul, and hopes that her daughter's death will highlight the need for a better system, and encourage others to get on the organ transplant register.
Links:
Jade Stoner Memorial Website
UK Transplant
Jade Stoner Source: BBC
Within a few hours of the accident, Debbie and her husband John made the decision to donate Jade's organs - an act of kindness which has saved four lives.
Debbie told BBC News: "Jade was playing outside and, for some reason, decided to cross the road. A car knocked her off her bike and it was a horrible, tragic accident," she says.
"We went to the hospital and they did checks on her but she was brain dead. My mum Barbara suggested donating Jade's organs so that her legacy could live on. I thought it was a great idea but my husband was initially against it.
"He said he wanted Jade to be left in peace - he said he didn't want her to be "hacked into pieces" but I talked to him and persuaded him to change his mind.
"Jade was all soul but when she died, all that was left was a shell. We didn't want her life to be in vain. She was the loveliest girl and was caring and giving and this was certainly the right decision.
"She has saved the lives of four people and we are immensely proud of her. Jade's heart was donated to a 10-month-old baby girl, while her liver was given to a 17-month-old baby boy.
"We have set up a website in Jade's name and when people read about her story, they have told us they feel inspired to become donors."
Last year more than 3,000 organ transplants were carried out but unfortunately around 1,000 patients die waiting for a transplant every year. Currently, only 14m people are registered on the NHS Organ Donor Register - only a quarter of the population, even though studies suggest that 90% of people are in favour of organ donation.
The government is considering a radical overhaul of organ donation procedures, including a system whereby people would have to opt out if they did not want their organs used after their death.
Debbie is in full support of this overhaul, and hopes that her daughter's death will highlight the need for a better system, and encourage others to get on the organ transplant register.
Links:
Jade Stoner Memorial Website
UK Transplant
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Comment by katyzzz
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This is so moving, I just can't find enough words, I hope others read and appreciate it too.
katyzzz
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