September 05, 2023 - 493 views
People from Wales and Cheshire who have saved lives through the gift of organ donation have been posthumously honoured at a moving award ceremony, including dad of three, Colin James.
The 57-year-old and other organ donors received the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant for a decade, which was given to their families and loved ones on their behalf at a private award ceremony at Chester Town Hall in May 2023.
Colin James was a fit and active dad of three, who was always helping others. He collapsed one day last summer and was found to have a bleed on his brain. Sadly Colin deteriorated further and passed away.
The 57-year-old from Abergele, had worked around the world, most recently working as a gas and plumbing engineer in his local area. He was highly skilled and very handy and was well known in the community for his kind and generous nature.
His wife, Susan, says: “The one thing I would say about Col is that he was always helping somebody, no matter what it was he would always help, and share what he had, like his tools, car, caravan. He was so handy, he could make and fix anything.
“We had known each other since a young age and we became a couple 32 years ago. I remember him saying early on, “I think we’re going to be together a long time”. After two years we married and had our three girls. I always felt very loved.
“When we had our girls, he wanted to work nearer home then he started working with his best friend which suited him as it was more flexible for family life. Colin would say he was outnumbered with me and our three girls. We all thought our dog was a girl but he turned out to be a boy, Olly, so he was really relieved to have another male in the family. Colin had a great group of friends and was a popular character who knew a lot people. He was very sociable and has left a big whole in many people’s lives.”
Colin started to be unwell last summer and over a couple weeks had several trips to the doctors and hospital. He collapsed at home one day and was found to have a bleed on his brain. He was seriously ill in hospital but started to do better and then transferred to the Walton Centre for brain surgery. Sadly Colin deteriorated just before he was due to have his operation and died in August 2022. He donated his kidneys and liver, saving lives and helping research.
Susan adds: “It’s difficult to believe he isn’t here, as a lot is changing with our girls moving out and settling down. It was heart-breaking losing him and I miss him so much, he was the love of my life.
“We should have celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this year, we had planned a cruise and he was really excited and looking forward to it. I went with our youngest daughter which was lovely but also hard without my husband.
“Colin would help anyone. It just feels very fitting that he was an organ donor. Some good has come from his death. He always said if anything should happen, he was happy to give anything. Two of our girls have a liver condition, Colin was always on the register but this made it all the more important to him.
“A couple of times he just mentioned it and during covid lockdown we spent a lot of time talking in our summer house and would chat about all sorts, including should anything happen to us. I said I wouldn’t know what to do about lots of things, and he showed me practical things. And he said my organs are no good to me afterwards so someone else can have them if it helps them.
“I knew he had joined the register and I knew his wishes. I brought it up at the hospital because I knew it was what he wanted, I told them he is a donor. The organ donation nurse was lovely, the process was clear and I was very well supported. They asked me all about Colin and learnt about his character and personality, which was comforting.
“Two of our girls collected Colin’s Order of St John award as the ceremony was during the cruise. I went to a gift of life event at the Walton Centre which was very emotional and hard, but a lovely commemorative event.
“Thanks to Colin’s gift, he was able to help two people have a longer life with their families. He’s given the biggest gift anyone can give, life and time with family – love and family are the most important things. Colin was a “one off” and he’s given an amazing gift.”
Colin and Susan have three daughters, including twins. The family will take part in a fundraising walk from Abergele to Llandudno in September, in Colin’s memory and to raise money for the Brain Charity.
Hundreds of families are receiving the Order of St John award for organ donation across the UK this year, at regional ceremonies or privately, as the awards celebrate their tenth year. More than 1,400 people donated their organs after their death in 2022, leading to more than 3,500 lifesaving transplants*.
Mick Messinger, Chancellor of the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John, said: “It is a pleasure and privilege to work with NHS Blood and Transplant again on a tenth year of ceremonies to mark the wonderful gifts of life given by people who chose to donate organs and their families who supported them in this decision. These events are always very emotional and I pay tribute to all the families that attend and, most of all, to their loved ones who have selflessly helped others to live after their own passing.”
Organ donation is a most precious gift and it is important that people confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and share their decision with their family. Only around 1% of people in the UK die in the circumstances to become an organ donor each year.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Organ donors and their families are truly inspirational people. Every donor transforms the lives of people they don’t know and the pride their families rightly feel is incredibly powerful.
“Patients who have received a transplant tell us that organ donors and their families are their heroes. The Order of St John awards, which we are proud to have been running with the Order of St John for ten years, are a chance for us all to recognise organ donors and their amazing contribution to society.
“We hope these awards will inspire other people in Wales to decide they want to donate their organs, joining the NHS Organ Donor Register and sharing their decision with their family. Saving the lives of others is an amazing legacy to leave and donor families say donation is a source of pride that helps them in their grief.
“We want to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to donate their organs and save lives. Please confirm your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk.”
The Order of St John Award for Organ Donation features the organ donation heart logo backed by the Maltese Cross - which is used by the Order of St John - above the words ‘add life, give hope’. The award can be received at a regional ceremony or sent to a family privately. They are open to people of all faiths or of no faith.
The Order of St John Award for Organ Donation first started being given to organ donors and received by their families and loved ones in 2013 and the tenth anniversary of the awards will be celebrated in September.
For more information about organ donation, or to confirm your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, please visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.
