A new national memorial paying tribute to organ donors is to be sited in Scotland’s capital, it has been announced
The Scottish Government revealed plans for the special memorial, which will be designed as a lasting tribute to organ and tissue donors who have helped others to live after their own death.
Scottish artist Alec Finlay has been commissioned to do the piece, which will be situated in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden – with the site chosen for both its beauty and its tranquility.
The new memorial is being erected as the existing memorial, a wooden loveseat in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery on which a silver leaf is placed for every person who has donated their organs, has very little space remaining on it.
Mr Finlay will work closely with donor families, organ recipients and healthcare professionals as he develops the new memorial.
Among those involved is lung transplant recipient Gill Hollis, who said: “The national organ donation memorial is very important to me.
“My transplant anniversary is now more important than my real birthday and I try to make the most of every day, not just for me and my family, but also for the person whose life saved mine.
“It’s impossible to thank my donor enough for the gift they gave me but I’m really looking forward to having a place that recognises and remembers them.”
Sandra Ward, who donated organs from her 11-year-old daughter Rachel after the girl’s death, also welcomed the new memorial.
She said: “Having a national memorial to recognise and remember all those who, in death, were able to give the greatest gift of all – that of life – is very important.
“I hope it will make people think about organ donation and discuss with their loved ones what they would like them do if anything ever happened to them.
“From when she was very young Rachel understood organ donation and made me promise we would donate her organs if anything ever happened to her and we fulfilled her wishes.”
It is hoped the new memorial will be in place by late summer or early autumn this year.
Public health minister Michael Matheson said: ” We are delighted to have an artist of Alec’s calibre and reputation involved in the creation of this memorial.
“We are also very grateful to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for their support and for giving us a home for this project.
“Through the selfless generosity of organ donors and their families, who at a time of great tragedy honour their loved ones’ wishes, many lives are saved and transplant recipients go on to lead full and active lives.
“It is right and fitting that we should acknowledge the gift that is given through organ donation with a public memorial.”
Mr Finlay, who is based in Edinburgh, told how he “really wanted to be involved in this project”, adding: “There is no better task for an artist or poet than to respond to complex and deep emotions, which this memorial is bound to bring up.
“It will be challenging, of course, because you are dealing with people’s experiences.”
The artist continued: “There is a relationship between life and death through the gifting of organs.
“It’s a remarkable thing and yet it exists within a health system that belongs to all of us in Scotland.
“No-one involved in organ donation thinks this is a simple concept but it is a reminder that we are all connected to one another and that we can, potentially, help one another.”
Dr David Rae, director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is proud to host this memorial and the exact location has been chosen jointly by garden staff, the artist Alec Finlay and representatives of donors and recipients.
“It is a quiet, tranquil site surrounded by Scottish native species.
“We are sure that the artwork and its location will create a sensitive and inspiring memorial for all those affected by transplantation and donation, and are pleased that the whole project has developed in a truly collaborative way involving all concerned.”