To ask you to consider organ donation?

[DrSeuss]

In five days time, it will be twelve years since a dear friend received her new lungs. They were the gift of a family who had just lost their young son, Matthew, and are the only reason she is alive today. My friend, her family and any one who knows her will be eternally grateful for this gift, given at a time when they could have chosen to focus solely on themselves.

If you have not already done so, please consider carrying a donor card, putting your name on the Organ Donor Register and making your wishes known to your family.

www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/how_to_become_a_donor.jsp

I recently registered. I'd always been a bit squeamish about the idea of using bits of me - know its silly. Glad i've got over it now - if my child or family member ever needed this help - I hope they can get it. i

Shabba what a lovely story although heartbreaking too. He sounds amazing I wish more people were like him in all areas of life xx

shabba - just read your post -very touching and i'm so glad it brings you some comfort. It's the perfect message to put across.

Thank you Ladies.

Oh Matty was one of a kind - its hard to think about him without laughing very loudly. Number and letter dyslexic, fascinated by females, loud and wild its very quiet without him xx

I sent you a ((((shabs)))) hug but it didnt get through. I know they arent really allowed but I didnt realise MN had a cyber hug filter now

Ta love - gratefully accepted - sending one back to you as well. Im the 'rebel without a cause' when it comes to hugging on Mumsnet and I just typed groin there instead of grin!!!!

Over my dead body...

I am on the register already, but I'm not planning on going under a bus any time soon.

Shabba, that's a wonderful story. You are an amazing mum, to think of asking about organ donation at that time.

Shloo - believe me, my lad would have gone mad if I hadn't - it was verrrrrrrry important to him.

Have just registered OP.

I meant to do it yesterday after watching the donor story at GOSH on This Morning, thanks for reminding me

Shabba Thank you.

When my sister was 7 yrs old and I was 4 we climbed over a wire fence to get into our neighbour's garden (we used to do it all the time). The piece of wire loop that we used to step on broke and swung up into her eye. I remember seeing blood and vitreous fluid coming out of her eye and telling that we needed to get mom.

She received a corneal transplant soon after and kept her vision. I'm very grateful to the parents of the child that died who still had the compassion and grace to allow their child's organs to be used.

So thank you.

Spring I read your post faster and faster wondering what was coming next. Oh my word you must have been frightened.

When it was explained to me that the hospital could only use the corneas I felt disappointed for my lad, but reading your story has made me realise the massive gift he gave.

Thank you xx

Thank you for reminding me. I've jut registered, as has my husband and both my parents.

The experiences on this thread have moved me to tears, and taken me from 'I must register' to 'I am registered'.