Organ Donation Week is almost over – one day to go. It’s been a busy week for many. The logistics of the week’s awareness raising was complex, much done in the months and weeks beforehand, much of it hidden from public view. Sorting the funds necessary for some of it. And the permissions, the lighting, the theatre gels and coloured bulbs that had to be in place to light up public buildings and monuments and natural features across the country in the pink of the organ donor card.
Arranging the press coverage to get the maximum reach for the stories. Lining up the interviews for the media, local and national. Inviting and encouraging individuals and groups to consider participation in the events, to sign up in advance, get to the football pitch for the drone picture on a set day and time, wear something pink, bring a photo, a banner.
Gathering all the personal stories to be posted on social media by the growing number of organ donation charities and campaigning groups, by medical teams working daily with donors, recipients and their relatives, and by families and individuals whose lives have been shaped by organ donation. Some telling us why they decided to give their consent for organ donation when a loved one died, and the grace it is for them in the grief they carry. Others who received that gift, and the thousands of everyday differences it has made, being able to start their lives again. Each one motivated by gratitude and kindness, wanting to make a difference for someone else.
Yesterday, in a range of weathers (depending on time of day as much as location), hundreds of people took to the hills, ascending six of our highest peaks; Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell in England, Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, Snaefell on the Isle of Man, Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon in North Wales and Pen y Fan in South Wales.
Most walked, some managed to get a train! The Snowdon railway played it’s part in getting some of those pink wooly-hatted participants to the top where they were tunefully entertained by a Welsh Choir.
We are proud to say Live Loudly Donate Proudly made it to the top of Slieve Donard, and in great company.
Rachel Quinney Mee and Rachel Chambers (Photo: Stephen Glover – thanks!)
After a decent night’s sleep, Rachel talked about the day on Slieve Donard.
“The first person to arrive at the site – 7.30am! – was Catherine McKeown, the Organ Donation promotions manager for the NI Public Health Agency. Catherine was on the go all day, organising, managing publicity and making sure we all had our pink beanies and snoods, and a few flags and banners.
It was great to be with such a mixed group of people – ICU nurses, donor families, transplant recipients, students, and enthusiastic supporters – even the Pink Panther! – keeping each other going on the climb up the mountain. It was a steep climb, but it felt a lot easier as we were in such good company and distracted by each others stories.
On the way back down, we knew that everyone was going back to our different places to keep the conversations going about organ donations. We have all been involved with it from different angles, so it’s personal, and we know how important it is, as Lucia said, to Live Loudly and Donate Proudly.”
There is also a great collection of photos from all the climbs on the Donor Family Network’s Facebook page.
So, is that the peak for this week’s campaign? The summit?
Spectacular though it has all been, the real peak benefit of this week won’t be on camera. It will be far from the creativity, energy and enjoyment of public campaigning, in a small family room of an intensive care unit, in a conversation with shell-shocked relatives as they hear the irreversible news that someone they love will not be going home with them again. In the sensitive minutes that follow, they may learn that the one they now grieve is able to be an organ donor. Do they know what their loved one would want to happen? Are they able to honour that decision, whatever it may be?
Somewhere else, someone is waiting for a phone call, and the chance to live. Perhaps, next year, they will be able to participate with their friends in organ donation week. Climb a mountain with gifted lungs, a gifted heart, a gifted life… That’s an achievement to celebrate, and it should be on camera.
Have you had a conversation about organ donation? Could you have another? Please…