A PUBLIC memorial to organ donation is to be installed as part of the Island’s new Hospital at Overdale, politicians have decided.
Members voted unanimously at this week’s sitting of the States Assembly in favour of a proposition by Deputy Lucy Stephenson to acknowledge those Islanders who helped save someone else’s life by donating organs. Living donors who donate kidneys, stem cells or who give blood would also be acknowledged in the memorial.
Deputy Stephenson said she had a personal interest in the subject since the death of her mother around 20 years ago, at which time the family had successfully worked with clinicians to carry out her mother’s wish to donate her organs.
As well as thanking those who donated, the representative for St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter said she hoped to provide more publicity for organ donation, a topic she said “had gone a bit quiet”, in the hope of encouraging future donors. At present there were seven Islanders waiting for organ transplants whose lives were potentially in danger if no donor could be found, she added.
“We should not shy away from public recognising, in a sensitive and appropriate way, those who have given the gift of life to others in this way,” she said.
Health Minister Tom Binet said those involved in the Hospital scheme were fully supportive of the proposed move, and were confident that the choice of an appropriate piece of artwork would be handled delicately.
