Gemma’s gift of life to little boy
WOMAN DONATED FIVE ORGANS, INCLUDING HER HEART, TO A LAD AGED ABOUT TEN
SOMEWHERE a little boy is living life to the full – thanks to Gemma Foulkes.
He received her heart, and was one of five people whose lives she helped save.
Gemma’s mum, Sandra McCartney, said: “I’m very proud my daughter was able to give this wonderful gift of life.”
Gemma, 34, donated five of her organs.
She had signed the organ donor register, but her loved ones were not aware until a specialist nurse for organ donation approached them in the intensive care unit at Salford Royal.
“Gemma always told me everything so I couldn’t believe that I didn’t know she had registered to be an organ donor,” Sandra said.
“Now, on reflection, Gemma took the responsibility of the decision to donate away from the family at a very difficult time, when perhaps being so emotional we may have had to wrestle with our own feelings, at a time when things are difficult enough already.
“Gemma’s action made it easier for us to respect her wishes.
“At first I was just so distraught at losing Gemma but now I have had some time to reflect, I am just so, so proud that she has done such a wonderful thing and given the gift of life.”
Gemma was born with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, which is a culmination of excessive fluid on the brain.
At five-weeks-old, a shunt was fitted to help drain the fluid from her brain.
Over the years, Gemma had it replaced several times and had numerous hospital appointments due to her condition.
Sandra, who lives in Swinton, said: “Gemma was always in and out of hospital so when she told me she was having a new shunt fitted, I didn’t think much of it because she had had that operation several times before.
“After she came out of theatre, I went to visit her with some chippy for her tea and she was fine.
“However, the next day she called me and said that her headache had returned.”
Gemma had a seizure and was taken for a scan but suffered another massive seizure and was taken back to theatre. Unfortunately, she continued to have seizures and was put in an induced coma. Sadly, she would never recover. Sandra said: “Gemma’s organs went on to save the lives of two men in their 60s, a woman in her 20s, a woman in her 40s and her heart went to a little boy, who was around the age of 10. “It’s bitter-sweet because we have lost Gemma but a little boy somewhere has her heart and I hope he, and the other recipients, are now able to live a wonderful life.”
This week is Organ Donation Week. Nationally, three people die every day in need of an organ, and there are currently around 570 people in the north west on the transplant waiting list. Gemma’s mum, Sandra McCartney