A toddler's life was saved after chat with my wife - you need to have that talk

When Mahmud Nawaz and his wife Sharon discussed organ donation, they never imagined the conversation would become so crucial so soon. The young couple had just settled in Yorkshire, ready to embark on a new chapter of their lives.

Tragically, at only 32, Sharon suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage, making their prior discussion about her organ donation wishes incredibly important. Knowing what she wanted gave Mahmud the clarity he needed during an unimaginable time.

Sharon was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary, where medics fought to save her life. However, when it became clear that nothing more could be done, Mahmud was approached about donating Sharon's organs to help those in need.

Mahmud agreed to go ahead with donating Sharon's organs and his choice transformed the lives of four individuals, including a critically ill toddler whose parents were bracing for the worst. The child, just one-and-a-half years old and not expected to see his second birthday, received the liver transplant he desperately needed, thanks to Mahmud honouring Sharon's wishes.

Reflecting on the experience, Mahmud said: "The grief of a loved one changes your perspective on life, but for me, my wife was the first person that I knew that had died. Everything that I went through was very new, very raw. There was no playbook for how you're meant to do it.", reports Yorkshire Live.

He shared: "My wife prepared me for making a decision at the worst possible time by telling me she wanted to be a donor beforehand. At first, it felt overwhelming, but after talking it through, I realised it was a chance for Sharon's legacy to live on by giving the gift of life to others."

In the UK, the number of people waiting for organ transplants has been steadily increasing, with 7,500 patients currently on the list. Despite this, many families remain uncertain about their loved ones' wishes regarding organ donation.

Studies show that 2.5 million people have opted out of the organ donation system, and 1 in 8 families are unsure whether their relative would have agreed to donate. However, as Mahmud and Sharon had discussed their views, it meant that one decision changed the lives of four people, including a little boy.

Since then, Mahmud has committed himself to advocating for organ donation to inspire others to discuss their choices openly with their families. He joined organ donation committees in Leeds and Mid Yorkshire, became a non-executive director at Mid Yorkshire, and now is a Chair at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Mahmud also hopes to encourage people in communities to consider organ donation and celebrate their successes at the British Transplant Games. He stated: "I've been involved in the British Transplant Games, proudly partnered with Westfield Health, a celebration of life that brings together the transplant community."

"Together, the organisations are working to raise awareness of organ donation and its lifelong impact on people and their communities. By 2028, Westfield Health will have donated over £1 million to the Games, which is an incredible impact."

Mahmud first got involved at the Leeds 2022 Games where he saw individuals aged from three to 80 unite in competition, celebrating the second chance at life they've been given. Westfield Health's chief, Dave Capper, asserted: "Mahmud's story is inspiring, and we hope that it will motivate people to talk openly with their families and consider organ donation, given its life-changing impact. It's all about breaking the taboo and making life-saving decisions easier."

Why talking about organ donation is so crucial

Since 2020, Britain has embraced an "opt-out" system for organ donation, meaning individuals are presumed donors unless they've explicitly withdrawn consent. Nevertheless, the concurrence of next of kin remains a decisive factor.

Despite a persons assumed consent, relatives will still be approached for confirmation when someone passes away. Thus, discussing one's wishes with loved ones stands paramount.

Studies indicate that when individuals explicitly communicate their desires to their families, the consent rate for organ donation skyrockets to 90%. However, without prior conversation, the rate plummets to 60%.

This year, Organ Donation Week 2024 will be held from Monday, September 23, to Sunday, September 29. Mahmud is urging people to:

Make an informed decision about organ donation (This NHS page can help)

Record that decision (yes or no) on the organ donor register via the NHS App the NHS page)

Most importantly, tell your loved ones your decision, as they will be consulted.

He shared: "I was lucky that my wife told me what she wanted. It's not something you necessarily have an easy chat about. I knew she carried an organ donor card in her purse, and I said, "What's that?

" It was that simple. "We spoke about both organ donation and where she wanted to be cremated. That one conversation helped me make two tough decisions a bit easier during an awful time."