Wine & Wisdom Evening

On he 21st February 2014 I held a wine and wisdom evening in aid of My Butterfly Family - the charity I have established in memory of my cousin. It was a great success with just over £200 profit being raised! I couldn't be more thankful to those who turned up - so many unfamiliar faces supporting us! FANTASTIC! Seeing so many new faces at the event reassured me that the word about organ donation and 'my butterfly family' is spreading, people are becoming aware! Of course on each table I had information regarding organ donation including the useful 'your questions answered' booklet.
Organising charity events really helps me to stay positive, its great knowing I am going to make a difference to grieving children in the near future. I am moving onto the next event - a charity bike ride! Time to get back on my bike.......

A Year Has Passed Since We Lost You :-(

Today marks 1 year since we lost you!

 

I woke up like any other morning..... then realisation hit me! I would do absolutely anything to see you just once more! To hear your voice again! I miss you so much! I look at a picture of you every morning and lately I have been able to think of some fantastic memories!
When I sit and read stories of how fortunate people have received an organ transplant I cannot help but feel angry! I know this sounds really harsh! But I cannot help to question why they got heir transplant but you didn't! WHY? At work there are alcoholics who attend, then happily tell you their an alcoholic and that they need a transplant! This makes me extremely angry, why should they get a transplant through a self inflicted disease, when there are people, like you, who had no choice to become unwell!
I cannot believe you have been gone for a year already, time goes so quick when you don't see someone! 2013 was a rubbish year, however I'm hoping 2014 brings better things, I am continuing with the campaign you begun hoping to reach more schools this year. I hope the charity set up in your memory really kicks off this year too! I want to start supporting and surprising children and parents who have lost a loved one, like your boys, because their parent/ child didn't get an organ transplant. I think many times about your boys, and if I'm struggling at times, thinking of them helps, at least there is a part of you living on, and what fantastic boys they are turning into! Plus if I'm finding it hard how must they be feeling?

2013 saw us having your first birthday and first Christmas without you! They were difficult, but then all the 'first' times will be! it is expected but nothing can truly prepare for the pain you feel deep down!

Your amazing girlfriend has organised a meal tonight, we are all getting together to celebrate your life! Hopefully this will help! What an amazing life you have had though! You taught me to chase your dreams, to never give up because you never know when things can change and you wont be able to do what you want. I will admit I am starting to worry, lately I have been feeling strange palpitations with my heart, but unsure if that is me being paranoid because of all the cardiac problems in the family, but I'm too scared to get checked out for now!
I will be popping to the cemetery later on with my daughter to see you, she keep telling me how she misses you too! She's always asking to see your boys and randomly talks about them too! I didn't realise a 4 year old would be affected as much as she is! Loosing you Jay has affected so many people! I still struggle, although I have now lost both my nans and both granddads and my auntie (your mum) I still find it difficult to accept that young people do pass away too! Accepting my grandparents had passed, of course wasn't easy, but it was more acceptable as they were elderly, but you jay, you were only in your 30's! FAR TOO YOUNG!

I hope your ok up in heaven, watching over all of us!

I love you so much and miss you more than words can say! xxxxxxx <3

Such Tragedy Turns Into A Beautiful Gift

A MUCH loved young woman who died in a crash with a school coach has saved the lives of eight others after her organs were donated.

Sophie Crew, 23, died in a head on collision on the B3078, near Horton, in June after she crashed into a school bus carrying 45 pupils from the Alderholt and Cranborne areas.
At the inquest Coroner Sheriff Payne recorded a verdict of accidental death after hearing Miss Crew’s Mini was seen driving into the path of the coach on June 11. He said that Miss Crew’s car must have only been on the wrong side of the road by a foot but “because of the width of the coach there was little room for error”. The collision resulted in the coach leaving the road and hitting a tree, a road sign and a telegraph pole. Miss Crew’s father Stephen spoke at the inquest and described his daughter, who worked as a scientist for Wessex Water, as a popular young woman who had many friends and spent time helping charities. In a statement the family said: “Sophie’s tragic death has affected so many people as she embraced every aspect of life and was such a vibrant and enthusiastic individual.

“As a family we have received hundreds of letters showing not only people’s condolences but expressing how Sophie positively enriched their lives and supported them through challenging times.

“Sophie’s endless love and affection touched so many and is one of the most difficult consequences of her life ending too soon.
“As a family we would like to thank everyone for their support and love throughout this devastating time of our lives.”
During the inquest the coach driver Christopher Tomlin said the crash was very traumatic for everyone involved, including the 26 pupils on their way to Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne,
He said: “I think about it every day and night as it was traumatic for everyone involved.”
The inquest heard some of the children were not wearing seatbelts and there were a number of minor injuries, but everyone was taken off the coach safely.
Following the crash Miss Crew was taken to Poole Hospital with a severe head injury but died hours later.

During this time in hospital the family agreed to organ donation and as a result Mr Payne said that eight people have been saved.

 

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/10854865.Crash_victim_saves_eight_lives_by_organ_donation/

 

*OUR DEEPEST THOUGHTS GO TO THIS FAMILY*

Give the Best Gift This Christmas

Many more transplants are required for people to survive, the above is only relevant for those requiring heart and lung transplants. This is the reason why I have set up 'My Butterfly Family', the above shows 24 children requiring transplants and 250 adults requiring organ transplants. Imagine how many of those adults have children which they may potentially leave behind if they are not fortunate enough to receive their organ transplant.

If you are reading this, ask yourself: Am I signed up to the organ donor register? IF YES- do your relatives know your wishes? If NO, ask yourself why not?

While many are enjoying the Christmas holidays, please take time to consider those who are away from their families, who have to spend their Christmas in hospital, and for those who wish to make and see each and every day! You can help those requiring transplants to stay positive simply by signing up to the organ donor register! Let them know you are thinking of them and helping as much as you can!

 

GIVE THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT - HOPE

To sign up to the organ donor register: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/how_to_become_a_donor/registration/consent.asp

THANK YOU! Almost 100 signatures

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who have signed the e-petition to raise awareness of organ donation in secondary schools and to have constant TV coverage! We have almost reached 100 signatures! This is great news, however there is still a VERY long way to go! we NEED to achieve 100,000 signatures in order for this e-petition to be considered!
PLEASE sign and SHARE: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/54567

I have really been struggling this week, missing my cousin so much. Still I read comments and stories about people receiving their first or second transplant, and I still cannot help but feel jealous and anger! Of course I am overjoyed that they have been fortunate enough to receive and organ transplant, but why didn't my cousin? I have so many questions left unanswered however I need to accept these wont be answered! However, my feelings only lead to further determination, for no other family have to go through the same ordeal as we have had to! I will continue to campaign, raise awareness and carry on my cousins memory and legacy via the charity!

Today I saw his two little boys, I wanted to just run up to them and cuddle them sooooo hard! I hate thinking they are growing up without a father! However they are both so strong! Without a doubt, the charity set up in memory of my cousin 'My Butterfly Family' will send these two amazing young boys on a day trip they will never forget! After the tough 3 years they had, they deserve a day which will revolve purely around them, and know that we are here to support them and that we ALL miss their father!
 

Please if you would like to help make this happen, please donate via pay pal: mybutterflyfamily@gmail.com

What is keeping me busy is planning many fundraising events throughout 2014, I will ensure that my cousins campaign continues to grow bigger and bigger every year! For those fortunate enough to have received an organ transplant, they need to treasure their second chance and be aware that it may be down to my cousin's campaign and the challenge of raising awareness of organ donation, that they received their gift of an organ!

If you are interested in finding out more about the fundraising events please visit the website: www.mybutterflyfamily.weebly.com

Charity Bike Ride - 56 Miles

I have organised a charity bike ride on the 20th July 2014 to celebrate my dear cousin Jay's birthday. It is aimed for friends, family and people local and far, in similar situations to all get together to share stories and simply support one another!

 Raising money for the newly established charity set up in Jays memory - My Butterfly Family.

It will be tough - the route is a 56 mile loop, starting at the Viking Ship - Pegwell Bay Kent, visiting Joss Bay, Reculver, Whitstable, Canterbury and then returning via sandwhich to the Viking Ship - Pegwell.

COST: £5 per person (payable on the day)
MEETING PLACE: Pegwell bay - Viking Ship.
TIME: from 9:30am to SET OFF at 10am!

It is NOT a race, we will all set off together, have regular refreshments breaks which will also allow for group photos for our progress.

If you would like to take part please say so, so I can forward sponsorship forms and details.

 

If you would like to Sponsor me please do so via paypal: mybutterflyfamily@gmail.com Even £1 will be truly gratefully received!

 Thank you

Such Tragic News

So not only have I lost my dear cousin at the start of 2013 due to not receiving his heart transplant but today I found out that a very good childhood school friend is now on the transplant list needing his gift of a lung transplant. Jon Hardy has battled his whole life fighting a condition called Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which is a genetic condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick sticky mucus. Jon's life so far has constantly consisted of endless trips in and out of hospital, bronchodilators , antibiotics and physiotherapy. If you know anyone with this condition your know exactly how limiting this awful condition is! There is NO treatment as such, the only real effective treatment is a lung transplant which even then, if successful continues with a life of endless medication! However they have been given a second chance, a HERO who SIGNED UP to the organ donor register will be able to provide my friend, and others, with a second chance! Just remember part of you will always live on, and to many, your be known and remembered as a true, noble HERO!

2013 truly has been an awful year, please if you haven't already done so, PLEASE sign up to the Organ Donor Register!

Many admit that they don't like thinking about the end of their life, and that signing up to the organ donor register is a devastating matter to consider. However put yourself in the shoes of a person requiring a transplant - wouldn't you wish and hope that an organ becomes available for you? Considering what happens at the end of your life shouldn't be a scary matter, by signing up your make such a difference and can save up to 9 lives! WOW! Also take into consideration that the feeling you have when considering signing up to the donor register will not be remotely close to the feelings of those requiring a transplant. They are aware that their life may be cut short, imagine the fear they must be feeling. YOU can do something about this! There are over 7500 people requiring a transplant, of these, almost 1000 pass away every year because they have not received their gift! PLEASE help change this!

"I'll sign up tomorrow" Tomorrow could be too late! Act now! Save Lives!