Faith and Hope

Early in the morning a soft rose light edges around our curtains with the promise of another day. Cup of coffee to hand, I read and reply to emails in the office inbox before being unable to resist the dogs’ desire to go outside. 

One morning I opened a well written and very personal email from a courageous lady called Hannah. It began:

“My father, Grahame Green, passed away in October 2023 following a sudden arrhythmic event. After spending six days in intensive care at Frimley Park Hospital, it became clear that he would not recover from his injuries. During one of the most difficult periods of our lives, my mother and I made the decision to honour his wishes and support organ donation.”

Unbeknownst to Hannah, my own family are deeply grateful to, and supporters of, her cause. Thirteen and a half years ago, my then 6 month old niece was gravely ill. Just as my sister was about to become a living donor by offering part of her liver to her daughter, we heard that a young girl had died in a car crash. She was a donor and her family agreed that at this terrible, awful moment in their lives, she could save those of others.

Hannah wrote that “two people ..received his kidneys, his donated tissues have helped support reconstructive surgery..His heart was also donated to research at St George's Hospital, helping to improve understanding for future generations.”

Today, more than 8,000 people across the UK are waiting for life-saving transplant surgery. One of the greatest barriers to donation is not a lack of support for the cause, but a lack of awareness and discussion within families. When “we are crossing the bar,” making our way from this world to the next, some of us believe there is another world. Others may not be so sure, but, what we all can agree on is that at this point we have no further use for our material possessions nor our bodies. 

This week is Organ Donation Week in which the NHS is highlighting what is essentially the gift of hope. They have asked iconic landmarks across the country to go pink as a tribute to organ donors and their families and to the dedication of NHS staff, surgeons and researchers. The aim is to encourage as many of us as possible to start talking about organ donation with those closest to us.

Hannah summed up how donation can help everyone concerned when she wrote that “whilst nothing can ever replace the loss we feel, knowing that Dad's legacy continues through the lives he has helped save and improve, provides enormous comfort and pride”.

For me personally, I would like to give an enormous thank from my heart for the gift of life to my niece who has just abseiled down the side of the hospital where 13 years ago she was in intensive care. She is doing her best to raise money for Kings College Hospital Charity to support others like her who need their help. 

Meanwhile I also have to thank the renal dialysis team at Hammersmith Hospital who are currently treating one of my brothers-in-law.

It was therefore with great pleasure that we welcomed nearly fifty consultants and nurses, donors and recipients including Hannah and her mother to gather here to thank all the organ donors and transplant teams. We were particularly honoured that Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub and his daughter Lisa came down from London to be with us. A renowned heart surgeon who pioneered the first heart/lung transplant in Europe, he is recognised throughout the world for his extraordinary contribution to this field. Sir Magdi set out from his early years to make a difference. His aunt died at the age of just 22 and, like his father who was also a surgeon, Sir Magdi just wanted to help. Now 90 years old, he still works to support his charity, Chain of Hope and has saved thousands of lives. 

How can we begin to thank the inutterable kindness of those who have given such hope and life to others during their most grievous moments. There is no greater gift to others than hope and life itself.

So, as it became a little darker and a little colder, we turned on the lights and went pink, hoping that it would be a message you all might share. 

For my part, a final walk is called for as the dogs twirl with enthusiasm and energy. Another day and once more it is simply about doing one’s best, with faith and hope– we can do no more.