Emma Witty died before she had a chance to become a mother, however she was still able to give the gift of life. Six people, including one baby girl and two elderly men, are living longer, healthier lives today, thanks to Emma's family's decision to donate the late teenager's organs upon her untimely death.
Emma, a budding photographer who loved giving to charity, was only 19 years old when she suffered a terrible brain hemorrhage. At first, it looked like Emma would pull through; she was conscious and speaking by the time her mother had arrived at the hospital in Leeds, England. However, within days Emma's health had taken a turn for the worst. She died on June 20th, 2014.
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Still reeling from Emma's sudden passing, her family was given a gut-wrenching decision to make on Emma's behalf. "After she died I was at the hospital with Emma's mum and dad, and the doctor asked if we thought Emma would want to donate her organs," explains Emma's boyfriend Oli Dobson. "Her mum and dad looked at me and asked what I thought. I said of course she would."
Emma's loved ones decided to donate her organs on her behalf. "She would want to do what she could to help others. That's the type of person she was," assures Dobson. For her part, Emma's mother Catherine Gregson says that the heart-wrenching decision ultimately proved to best thing the family could have done to help them cope with an otherwise excruciating loss. "It does give me a lot of comfort to know she has helped save so many lives…"
In the fifteen months since Emma's passing, Emma's heart hasn't stopped beating; it's been donated to a young woman in her 20s. Emma's lungs are still breathing, only now they're breathing new life into a man in his 60s. One of Emma's kidneys and her pancreas are still together, only now they reside in the body of a 50-something-year-old man. And her liver has gone on to help not one, but two people–one of whom is a 1-year-old baby girl. Emma's family also believes the would-be photographer's corneas have been donated, though they're not sure to whom.
This story moved me to tears. I'm pretty much surrounded by loved ones who literally live and die by the idea that you can't take your money or your body with you when you pass, so you might as well use it all up while you're alive. This idea has caused me great pain, in part because it's put them on the fast track towards death, but also because I know I will not get to see many of my beloved relatives' legacies live on in the same way that Emma's family has seen hers survive. It really sucks!
It is with them in mind that I decided years ago to adopt their motto and flip it on its head. I may not be able to take my body with me when I pass, but I'm sure as hell going to leave what I can behind to ensure that those who are still living have the best quality of life possible.
Image via Corbis
