KirstyB
Member
Username: Kirstyb
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2013
| | Posted on Sunday, November 17, 2013 - 01:00 pm: | 
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Hi, my name is Kirsty Bylett. I have been affected by organ transplantation via my cousin. My auntie passed away in 2010 and soon after my cousin became ill and the result concluded that he needed a heart transplant however he didn't one, and unfortunately he passed away 2/01/2013. Together we started a small campaign: http://givetoreceive2013.blogspot.co.uk/
Jay's Campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation and to get people to sign up. Since my cousins passing I have continued this campaign, with success; composed videos, created a blog, facebook and twitter accounts, and fundraising events including a family fun day and bravely, committed to a sky dive. I have managed to fundraise for several causes and performed presentation in local secondary schools. I composed a video which feedback states is a very powerful and strong statement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAsV2MbEJFI
The latest task is an online E-petition, aiming to have more TV coverage regarding organ donation. From the Heart was a huge success and the number of people registered to the donor list shot up! just imagine how many more would sign up with constant TV coverage! It also aims to have awareness within secondary schools. The children are our future, and by performing presentations in school it has proven to be a huge success.
I have now started up a charity in memory of my cousin: 'My Butterfly Family'.
With the passing of her cousin, I had to listen to stories of how my
cousins children were struggling to accept their fathers passing. Tthrough research it became apparent that there is a lack in sources for children who have lost their parents because of transplantation, and similarly for parents who have lost a child. Through experience regarding my cousin, the whole process leading up to a potential transplant is devastating enough. For children of the patients, particularly in my cousins case, they have to accept that they may rarely see their parent due to transplant units being far from home. As well as this, they need to accept and be aware of what is happening to their parent, however seeing them deteriorating in front of their very own eyes can be a mammoth task to accept. Because of these reasons alone, children need support. Should their parent unfortunately pass away due to not receiving their much needed organ, children need to feel that they will be ok, that the pain will ease, and when they feel they are coping it is not because they have forgotten their parent, it is because they have learnt to live without. The process of bereavement varies in each individual, however with a day revolving around the children this may assist with this process, to feel happy for a day and experience positive emotions after such a negative time. 'My Butterfly Family' aims to provide a special day for children affected by the loss of a parent which revolves purely around them, and to also provide a memorial gift to be displayed for them to look at everyday, again assisting with the bereavement process.
Similar gifts will also be presented to parents who have unfortunately lost a
child to incidents revolving around organ donation.
Please, if you or you know anyone who has been affected in this way, please do get in to nominate them for a special 'surprise' . Or if you wish to donate or hold your own fundraising event please do so. Further information can be found on the www.mybutterflyfamily.weebly.com
Thank you xx |
