An Angus mum who lost her teenage son to a brain haemorrhage and donated his organs to help others from just 10 months old is urging people to sign up to the organ donor register during National Transplant Week, which begins today.
Dundee University lecturer Mayra Crowe is supporting the campaign after losing son Andrew in October, which stunned the family’s Brechin community.
Andrew was born in Mexico City but the family moved back to his father’s Angus home town and he grew up inseparable from younger brother Stuart.
The pair loved sports and when Andrew was 14 he became completely focused on becoming a Royal Marine.
Spanish lecturer Mayra said, “There was no stopping Andrew he was dedicated to keeping fit, eating healthily and reading and doing whatever was needed to achieve his goal.
“He joined the cadets and during his time there he became a corporal. He made plans to raise money for both Help For Heroes and the Royal Marines Trust Fund. He had big dreams.”
“One day he learned of the death of a Royal Marine serving in Afghanistan, who had been based at RM Condor.
“He was deeply affected and emotionally moved by this. At the age of 14, he decided to buy some white roses and run all the way from Brechin to Arbroath and deliver those flowers as a tribute to someone who had given his life to serve his country.
“That day he impulsively ran a total of approximately 28 miles for a total stranger, which shows a part of Andrew’s caring nature, dedication and levels of fitness.”
Tragedy struck at the end of October when his mother received a phone call to say the teenager had been taken to Ninewells Hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
By the time Mayra and husband Alistair arrived, Andrew had stopped breathing.Gift of lifeMayra said, “It is not easy to receive the news that your child is going to die, that there is nothing that can be done to make it better, to give you hope, to see him smiling again and to see him achieving his dreams in life.
“When Stuart arrived at the hospital, we all sat together and thought about what Andrew would have done.
“He was now in the position to help others once more, to give a gift-the gift of life, hope and love and to serve somehow a bigger cause. And he has.
“Andrew’s heart is still beating away and giving another little boy the opportunity to fulfil his own dreams.
“He has helped at least nine people to improve their lives if not save them. The decision was not difficult. Andrew made it so easy for us to take.”
Hundreds packed Brechin Cathedral for his funeral, a marine green beret atop his coffin after the presentation of the symbol to his family by Arbroath’s 45 Commando.
Tributes in Andrew’s memory include sponsored walks, a charity football match at Glebe Park, a mural at his school, Brechin High, a bench at Barry Buddon and a planned tree-planting at Condor.
His mother said that while Andrew’s dream of helping charities has become a reality, one of his biggest gifts has been to give hope to others his organs having assisted recipients from the age of 10 months to almost 50 years old.
Mayra said, “He has helped not just one but many lives. My son has been an inspiration to me and many others who knew him.
“My drive to keep going and my example of generosity to follow comes from Andrew.
“Since Andrew’s death I have signed up to the organ donor register.
“We all know someone who has health problems, someone in need and someone that could benefit from a gift. Andrew’s life is a life that goes on, a gift that keeps giving.
“I would wish that no one would ever have to take such a decision and I hope you would never be presented with the question. Have you thought about giving a gift of life?”
The theme of this year’s transplant week is What Are You Waiting For?, highlighting the anxious wait by patients needing a transplant.
To join the register call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.