"A tragic loss in family is only negative," says
Pam Buckley , transplant co-ordinator at Newcastle's
Royal Victoria Infirmary, "but when donation is Involved, a family can go away and think at least some crumb of goodness did come from it."
Jane Moss , who had to face the loss of her 1 0-year-old daughter Paula, clearly agrees. Paula's kidneys, liver, heart and corneas gave new hope to no less than six people.
The problem faced by people like Pam Buckley , however, is that so many of us, in the crucial period immediately after the loss of a loved one, refuse to allow organs to be removed. Sue McAteer, whose husband was killed by a drunk driver, was one, but on reflection has changed her view and feels that "it's such a waste that somebody else could have lived".
In the UK 5,000 people are waiting for kidneys, hundreds more for heart, liver or lungs. In spite of efforts to raise awareness, the rate of organ donation has not improved in the last decade. In this special programme, subtitled Why Are We Waiting?, Danielle Donougher talks to bereaved families who have faced the dilemma, and asks what can be done to improve the present system. Producer Adelene Alani ; Editor Sarah Caplin