People who became organ donors at London hospitals were posthumously honoured at a moving award ceremony. They received the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant, which was given to their families and loved ones on their behalf. The private award ceremony was held at the Priory Church of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell in October 2018.
Hundreds of families are receiving the award at regional ceremonies held across the UK between September and December. The awards recognise the 1,574 people who donated their organs after death last year, leading to thousands of patients' lives being saved or transformed.
Bimlar Parmar from Hayes became a lifesaving organ donor when she died of a brain haemorrhage aged 68. She collapsed in the bathroom and brains scans at Hillingdon Hospital confirmed she would not recover. Her family were approached about donation by a specialist nurse from NHS Blood and Transplant. Her daughter Gurpreet Parmar, 39, who lived with her in Hayes, said: “My mum was not on the NHS Organ Donor Register but my siblings and I were fine with it as we believed someone else should be helped by our loss. “I personally had registered to be a donor a long time ago as I want to help someone else once I am gone.
“Mum was able to donate her lungs, kidneys and liver to four people aged in their 50s and 60s.” Gurpreet added: “She was retired and had worked at Alpha Catering for over 40 years with an amazing track record. She had awards for long service and no sick days!
“She was religious and loved by everyone. Happy and with a beautiful soul. So many people came to her funeral which showed how loved she was by her friends.” The family are Sikhs with an Indian background and they are aware of the need for more Asian donors. Organs are matched by blood group and tissue type and people from the same ethnic background are more likely to be a match. However there is a shortage of Asian donors.
Last year, 42% of Black and Asian families agreed to donate their relative’s organs, compared to 66% of families from the overall population. In London, 47% of Black and Asian families donated. Gurpreet said the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation was a really lovely gesture. NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for people in London to be inspired by the actions of the donors honoured at this ceremony.
Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation
