UPDATE: a newly established charity has been set up in memory of my cousin: 'My Butterfly Family' aiming to help children who has lost a parent and similarly parents who have lost a child due to not receiving their gift - an organ transplant.
For more information, please visit:
www.mybutterflyfamily.weebly.com


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*ORGAN DONATION*
Would you recieve an organ if you needed one?

IF YOU BELIEVE IN RECEIVING/DONATING AN ORGAN PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

According to the NHS organ donation, (2012) Only 31% of the populaion have joined the organ donor register.Within England and Wales, in 2011 there were 484,367 deaths registered.

To understand the importance of becoming an organ donor that meant there were approximatly 2906202 organs wasted in 2011 alone based on each donor providing 6 organs each. (Office for National Statistics, 2012)

My Story

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IN 2010 MY AUNTIE LOST HER BATTLE, LATER THAT YEAR MY DEAR COUSIN WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EXACTLY THE SAME CARDIAC CONDITION.

MY COUSIN WAS ONLY 33 YEARS OLD, HAS 2 AMAZING LITTLE BOYS AND HAD SO MUCH TO FIGHT FOR.

HOWEVER, HE DIDNT RECIEVE THE HEART HE MUCH NEEDED AND SADLY SLIPPED AWAY FROM US 2-01-2013.

THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF HIS LIFE CONSISTED OF LIVING IN HOSPITAL, ON A TRANSPLANT UNIT WHICH WAS FAR FROM HOME MEANING FEW VISITORS WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL THE DISTANCE, ESPECIALLY HIS CHILDREN.

HE WAS UNABLE TO LEAVE THE HISPITAL UNTIL/IF A HEART BECAME AVAIABLE. HE WAS COVERED IN BRUISES, ON ENDLESS MEDEICATOIN, CONSTANTLY HOOKED UP TO MACHINES MEANING HE COULD NOT HAVE A BATH OR A SHOWER, SOMETHING WE DAILY TAKE FOR GRANTED.


All his pain, suffering and loneliness could have been limited if a donor heart was available! YOU CAN BE A HERO AND SAVE LIVES. #liveon

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YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT TO DONATE!!!!! (Stage 2 of registration)
Please dont delay, "I'll register tomorrow".... TOMORROW COULD BE TOO LATE
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The feeling of being desperate for an organ will not hit untill you or a loved one is in the position of needing an organ to survive.

Part of you will always live on once registering to the organ donor register.
BE A HERO

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LUKE 6:38:

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."

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Wednesday, 13 February 2013

My First Presentation in a Local School

Today i held a presentation at a local school in Kent and i could not be happier with how it went! I was extremely nervous but i soon calmed down and enjoyed the experience. Knowing who and why i was there helped calm me down! I composed a presentation which included information all about organ donation, statistics, my cousin story, other reallife stories, important facts, as well as videos from youtube including the video i personally composed!

Many questions were asked at end, and many leaflets were taken and filled out there and then! I must admit it was mostly females who took the leaflets however i had lots of reports back saying they are going to go home and talk to their parents about organ donation!

One pupil who really stuck out asked me a question - "why do we have to give consent to give something that we don't need when we are dead?" Such a strong question! I informed about the opt-out situation and he went onto explain how in Ireland unless you carry a card saying no to donation then your organs are taken and donated! BRILLIANT - WE NEED THIS IN ENGLAND!

On an even more positive note - i have been invited back next year to do the same for the up coming year 10's! BRILLIANT! Now i just need to continue to keep hounding other local schools - i need to get into schools1 After today, it is clear that i really did make an impression and that everything i am doing is really worth while!

To back up everything i have done, there is a series on ITV tonight - Have a Heart. I informed the pupils of this so i hope they watch to get more of an insight into the importance of organ donation!

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

the fundraising begins!

what an amazing turn out we had had for "walk a mile for a smile"

overall we raised over £600 which is all going into my cousins account with the british heart foundation!! a fantastic start!

we cannot thank everyone enough for participating and donating! it was a very emotional, overwhelming and exciting day!

i held a stool in the local cafe displaying all organ donation information and the majority of items were taken! lets hope they have a positive outcome!!

if you could not make the event but would like to donate in memory of my cousin then please do! HOW: type in google "bhf jays campaign" and a link will come up! that is my cousins account! MANY THANKS!