By Fahad Tariq

Copyright glasgowlive

A mum has paid tribute to her “wonderful” son who saved the lives of four men after he passed away at 25 years old.

James Alexander Borland was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after being found in a serious condition at his home in Glasgow last February.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of medics, the doting dad lost his life. Now, his grief-stricken mum Audrey Cameron, 58, has shared how her son helped save the lives of others, through organ donation.

“The medical team did everything they could, but I felt in my heart that it was his time”, she said.

Audrey continued: “I asked the nurses about organ donation. They explained the steps including brain activity tests and assessments before it could be considered. Once it was clear James wouldn’t recover, we knew organ donation was the right choice.”

In the years prior to his death, James suffered a knee injury and needed three new ligaments, which came from an organ and tissue donor.

“He had experienced firsthand the generosity of another person doing this. He would be happy to know that he has given life to others,” said Audrey.

Paying tribute to her son, the mum added: “James was a wonderful person and, while we had never had the discussion, I know he would have wanted to do this.

“I want the world to know how proud I am of James. He was a shy, caring young man with a close-knit group of friends.

“James was a huge Liverpool FC supporter, but he had a friend who supported Celtic. That friend had some challenges and used a wheelchair. Despite Celtic not being James’ team, he supported his friend by going with him to Celtic matches, so he could enjoy the game. That’s the kind of person he was – selfless.

“His two sisters and I adored him, and he had a beautiful son he loved.”

Audrey described her experience with the NHSGGC Organ and Tissue Donation team. She said: “The nurses were so helpful as they guided us through what would happen and provided us with the information we needed.

“There was no pressure, just support. We were also lucky to have the time for James’ sisters and friends to gather round him and say their goodbyes. This isn’t always an option and I’m blessed that were able to do so. Me and some of these friends have since ensured that we’re on the register for organ donation since James’ passing.”

As of June this year, 625 patients in Scotland remain on the transplant waiting list.

Across the UK, the number has risen to 8,040 patients as of this month – that’s an increase from 7,752 this time last year.

A year following James’ passing, Audrey attended The Order of St John Award ceremony for donor families. Then, through NHS Blood and Transplant’s anonymous letter system, she received messages from two recipients whose lives James had saved. One of them was Kevin Brogan, from Edinburgh, who had received James’ heart.

Another man received his lungs in a double lung transplant, and two others each received a kidney.

“At the very end of 2023, I was admitted to the NHS Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank, with no previously known health issues, after suffering a heart attack,” said Kevin.

“I spent the next three months in the care of the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service, who initially tried to recover my heart, and then advised me that my only option for survival would be to receive a heart transplant. This news was so difficult for me and my loved ones to receive.”

In February 2024, Kevin was placed on the urgent heart transplant List, the same day of his wedding anniversary to husband, Graeme. He was successfully transplanted soon after with what he now knows is James’ heart.

Kevin added: “To receive this amazing gift, another family has to go through the traumatic experience of losing a family member and agreeing to the donation. Working with a specialist team, the family of my donor, James, gave me the gift of continuing with my life and I am forever grateful to them.”

James’s family were supported throughout every stage of the process by the organ donation team at NHS Blood and Transplant, Scotland. They care for patients who are reaching the end of their lives for many different reasons, and their families.

The organ donation process is a complex and sensitive part of end-of-life care, and it is their duty to guide the intensive care units, donors and their loved ones through this.

They cover all aspects of the process from the point of being referred a patient, meeting their family, friends, and children, managing care and stabilising conditions, coordinating theatre processes, and ensuring organs are safely transported to their destinations. They also manage follow-up care for the bereaved families.

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Anthony McGeown, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation is part of this team of specialist nurses. He explained why organ donation and why speaking about organ donation is so important.

He said: “Last year (24/25), as a team, we supported 25 organ donors and their families across all NHSGGC sites resulting in 65 transplants across the UK. That’s 65 lives that have been improved through transplantation.

“Families are always consulted and supported before, during and after the organ donation process. It is so important to register your decision about organ and tissue donation on the Organ Donor Register (ODR) and to discuss this with your friends and family.

“One in every 100 people die in Scotland where organ and tissue donation are a possibility, therefore it is important that your family and friends know your decision so it can be honoured.”

Find out more about organ donation here.

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