Ryan’s memory liveson
Son’s organs saved the lives of three people
A Larkhall family are to attend a ceremony in Edinburgh today (Thursday) in memory of their son a year after his death.
Ryan Watson’s organs saved the lives of three people. Now his mum Lesley, dad John, sister Chantelle and brothers John-robert and Brandon will accept an award on Ryan’s behalf.
They will receive the Priory of Scotland of the Order of St John UK Award for Organ Donation.
Lesley recalled facing the tough decision of whether or not to donate Ryan’s organs while dealing with their grief.
However she said: “I felt extremely sad at the loss of my son but I’m also so proud.
“To think that Ryan saved the lives of three people who may not have had the chance at life had it not been for him is quite miraculous.”
The mother of a slain Larkhall man will receive an honorary award on his behalf today (Thursday) after his organs saved the lives of three people in the days following his death.
Lesley Watson spoke exclusively to the Advertiser this week – one year on from when her son Ryan was tragically killed – telling of her “extreme sadness, yet pride” upon learning that her son was to be honoured.
The family – including Ryan’s dad John, sister Chantelle, and brothers John-robert and Brandon – will attend the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh where they will receive the prestigious Priory of Scotland of the Order of St John UK Award for Organ Donation.
Lesley told the Advertiser: “When we found out that we’d receive this honorary award on behalf of Ryan it was a strange feeling.
“I felt extremely sad at the loss of my son, but I’m also so proud. To think that Ryan saved the lives of three people who may not have had the chance at life had it not been for him is quite miraculous.”
The Order of St John UK Award for Organ Donation honours the incredible gift donors and their families in the UK make by donating their organs to save and improve the lives of others.
It is awarded by invitation to families whose loved one donated their organs, and posthumously honours the donor.
Ryan’s untimely passing meant the family faced the tough decision whether or not to donate his organs while dealing with their grief just hours after his death.
Accepting support and information from the organ donation team at Wishaw General Hospital, they decided to donate Ryan’s organs.
Ryan’s family have since learned that his liver, kidney and pancreas were all given to donor recipients and they also agreed to his unused organs being donated to medical science.
Lesley added: “At the time I was numb and outright said no to organ donation, as we wanted Ryan buried as he came into this world.
“But on reflection and upon hearing that he could save the lives of a baby for example and give so many other people a chance, we agreed unanimously as a family to organ donation.
“Why wouldn’t we want to help another family, even in the darkest of our days following Ryan’s death?”
The date of Ryan’s organ donation has also been inscribed on a special memorial bench within Chatelherault Country Park.
Ryan was killed by his pal Kirk Nolan on August 11, 2016, following a row over an “offensive” rap about Nolan’s girlfriend.
The 28-year-old shoved his victim in the face and neck, tragically causing him to fall and suffer fatal injuries.
Pathologists stated Ryan had been the victim of “significant blunt force trauma” consistent with having been pushed “forcefully”.
Sadly Ryan died before he could see the birth of his child – a boy called Junior Ryan to girlfriend Devina.
Nolan pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow and was sentenced to two years in jail in December 2016.
Why wouldn’ t we want to help another family, even in the dark est days following ryan’ s death?