‘Geraldine’s life could have been saved if more people had decided to donate’
EILIS Hall’s cousin Geraldine was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension aged just 19.
She was on the waiting list for seven years, but sadly died in 2012 before a donor heart and lungs became available.
Eilis, 23, says her death had a huge impact in her and her family’s life and now works with charity, Live Life Give Life, to try and encourage others to talk about the lifechanging decision to donate their organs.
Eilis, who lives in Rusholme, said: “I was very close with my cousin. I adored her.
“She was so lively and bubbly and was so much fun to be around.
“I was only nine when she was diagnosed and had just turned 18 when she died.
“She had even been out for my 18th birthday and was the most fun person.”
Just six weeks later, she died.
Eilis added: “She became really ill and in just two days she had died. I never grasped the concept that she wouldn’t get a transplant. I always thought it would happen.”
Geraldine’s death had a devastating impact on the whole of the family - but Eilis wanted to make a difference and started working with the charity.
She added: “Losing my cousin was devastating, but it led me to meeting people who have had transplants and are living, and living life to the full.
“It shows me that it is possible. And if people just talked about organ donation with their families, then more lives can be saved.
“It’s great to sign the register but if your family don’t know your wishes they might decide not to donate.
“It’s a way of making something good out of a bad situation.
“Geraldine’s life could have been saved if more people had decided to donate.
“Hopefully there will be a time where someone who needs a transplant doesn’t even have to be on a long waiting list.
“It’s possible. If we talk about it now.”
You can sign the organ donor register online at www.livelifegivelife.org.uk or at www. organdonation.nhs.uk or by phoning 0300 123 23 23.