By Beth Abbit
Copyright manchestereveningnews
“Louise had beautiful, big brown eyes,” says her sister Juliette Cosgrove. Having worked in intensive care, Juliette is no stranger to the difficult discussions around organ donation. But she always knew her sister wanted to be a donor. So when Louise was killed in a car accident near Huddersfield, aged 27, her family knew what to do. “It was the thing that everyone always commented on about her, so something happening to her eyes was a difficult discussion for our family to have,” she says. Get news, views and analysis of the biggest stories with the daily Mancunian Way newsletter – sign up here “I knew how strongly Louise felt about organ donation and in this moment, it wasn’t about us, it was about her.” The family agreed that night that Louise’s corneas could be donated in order to give someone else the gift of sight. Juliette – who is chief nursing officer at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust – was able to ensure her sister’s corneas could be retrieved and donated. “It’s so important to know your loved one’s wishes around organ donation,” she says. “I knew that for Louise it was a very important thing for her to do; it was her wish, and we were able to honour that for her. “In such unexpected circumstances, it’s so much easier for a family to know what their loved one would have wanted before something like this actually happens. The clearer you are, the easier it is for others to take that decision and deliver on your wishes.” Working as an organ donation co-ordinator, Juliette had seen many families go through what she ended up experiencing herself and it was her sister’s influence that inspired her to keep going. “When I went back into the work environment, I was taking what happened to my sister with me,” she says. “It made me even more compassionate and, while it was obviously difficult at times, it doubled my commitment.” Juliette’s family have also seen the positive impact a transplant can have for someone living with a chronic condition. Her uncle underwent a successful kidney transplant, which meant he was able to avoid undergoing gruelling dialysis three times a week and get back to work. “My uncle is now in his 80s and he is still working,” Juliette says. “The transplant not only saved his life, but it enabled him to live the life he always wanted to. “Most of us wouldn’t think twice about accepting an organ donation if we needed it, yet so many people are dying every day waiting for a transplant. “I urge everyone to confirm their organ donor wishes and tell their loved ones about it – you could save someone’s life.” Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE
