Why being an organ donor is so important (From Campaign Series)

Why being an organ donor is so important

7:20am Tuesday 30th October 2007

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NIGEL Challenger from Abertillery died of a brain tumour in 2003, but donating his organs to help others has brought comfort to the family he left behind.

The 38-year-old died in September 2003 and his donated organs saved two lives and helped four others across the UK.

Mr Challenger's liver saved a woman in the Midlands who was just hours away from dying and his kidney helped a Scottish woman who had been on dialysis for 15 years.

His wife Joanne Challenger, 37, and three children Bradley,15, Rory, 12, and Charlotte, 10 were among the hundreds of people taking part in the unveiling ceremony in Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff of a memorial stone to Welsh donors.

Mrs Challenger said: "Nigel had been a donor for as long as I'd known him, he used to think it was such a waste for organs to die and go unused."

"I don't know if the recipients of his organs are still alive today, but it means a lot to know Nigel's organs gave these people hope."

"Looking back, I got a lot of comfort from knowing that two lives had been saved.

"These families had been told their loved ones were dying and there was nothing to be done. It would have felt like a miracle if someone had have come to me and said there was a donor and given me hope in that way."

She added: "My children thought he was a hero for helping so many people."

Mrs Challenger describes her late husband as a fantastiic father who was always happy and willing to help anybody.

She is delighted the new sculpture will pay tribute to her husband and others like him.

She said: "The recipients and families of the recipients are very grateful to donors, but on the whole they are unsung heroes.

"The new memorial is fantastic, it is something my kids can look at and say, 'my Dad is a part of that.'".

THERE are more than 9,000 people waiting for an organ donation in the UK.

If you would like to join the organ donor register, you can register online at www.uktransplant.org.uk or ring the donor hotline on 0845 60 60 400.

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