Downham's Julie helps save lives of others
A WELL-KNOWN West Norfolk community worker who asked for her organs to be donated following her death has so far helped saved the lives of four people.
The family of Julie Davies, who died in February, are hoping she will prove to be an inspiration to others, and that more of her organs will help other patients in future.
Her daughter, Julia Davies (20), said if just one person now decides to "go for it" as far as organ donation is concerned, then that decision will have been a bonus to saving lives.
Active trade unionist Mrs Davies (50), of Lodge House, Wallington Hall, near Downham, had collapsed at a conference in Harrogate.
She was rushed to Harrogate Hospital, and then Leeds General Infirmary, but died the next day. She had suffered a cerebral haemorrhage after an aneurysm, or weak point on a blood vessel, gave way.
At the time of her death, her husband, Alan, said she had been a firm supporter of organ donation and, because she had otherwise been healthy, was an ideal donor.
Mr Davies, a lay minister at Downham's St Edmund's church, where his wife was a churchwarden, has since received a letter from St James University Hospital in Leeds, saying her organs had already helped four people and, in time, would help at least three others.
Transplant co-ordinator for the Yorkshire region, Mrs Catherine Jordan, said Mrs Davies' lungs were used to help a 59-year-old woman from the North of England who had suffered from emphysema for years and been on the transplant waiting list for three years.
In addition, Mrs Davies' liver was given to a 63-year-old woman from Yorkshire who, having suffered liver disease for years, had been on the transplant waiting list since last October.
Mrs Davies' right kidney was used to help a 51-year-old woman from the North of England though, sadly, following rare complications after four days, it was removed. It is not known what has happened to this patient.
Her left kidney, meanwhile, helped a 47-year-old man from Yorkshire who needed a transplant after suffering from kidney disease for many years.
The transplant team was unable to place Mrs Davies' heart because of its size. However, it has since gone to the heart valve bank in the south of England, where the valves will be retrieved and used at a later date.
Various tissues and Mrs Davies' corneas have also been retrieved and will be used later.
However, because of diabetes, her pancreas was not able to be used for donation purposes.
Miss Davies, studying in Bournemouth, said how pleased the family, which also includes son Hugh (23), was that others were being helped.
"It feels good to know that four other people are up and walking about," she said, describing organ donation as a way of "making the best out of a bad situation".
Mrs Davies was also well-known through being chairman of Downham Festival Committee in the past.
She also served as assistant librarian at Gaywood.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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