NI nurse thanks mum of teenager following life-saving transplant

A NORTHERN Ireland woman given hours to live has publicly thanked the mother of a 13-yearold boy who saved her life.

Cara Hearst from Belfast said she will be forever grateful to the family of Daryl Turley.

Daryl, from Hamilton in Scotland, died aged 13 in 2009 when he was knocked down by a motorbike, but his mother did not want his death to be in vain.

His heart, kidneys, liver and lower bowel were donated to help people such as Cara, who developed acute liver failure at 17. Now fully recovered and training to be a nurse, Ms Hearst has developed a strong bond with Daryl’s mother Lily.

Recent figures show a record number of Scots received a life-changing organ transplant last year. A total of 133 people who died in Scottish hospitals became organ donors, up from 99 the previous year, said NHS Blood and Transplant.

That meant 348 people who were waiting for a transplant were able to have the surgery they needed.

Lily and Cara were among the speakers at an event in Glasgow to highlight the contribution of organ donors and their families in Scotland.

Ms Hearst (26) said: “I will be forever grateful for what the Turley family has done for me.

“Without the transplant I had days to live, and because of the decision they made in their darkest hour, I now have a future.

“I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to recognise each and every donor that has changed the lives of so many as part of this event.

“It’s an honour to stand with Lily and mark their incredible contribution.”

Ms Turley, from Hamilton, said: “When we heard there was nothing that could be done to save our boy, within minutes we decided as a family to let organ donation go ahead.

“Daryl’s heart, his kidneys, his liver and his lower bowel were able to be donated to those in need. For me, knowing Daryl’s death wasn’t in vain has helped us deal with the pain of losing him.

“I’ve never, ever had second thoughts or regretted our decision, and I think of Cara as our hero. She has her whole life ahead of her and that shows the power of organ donation.

“I feel immensely proud of Daryl, a feeling I’m sure many other donor families at the event will share.”