Five people received life-changing transplants following the tragic death of Andy Charlton from North Shields on Saturday 9 August.

The 43-year-old died when he was hit by a car whilst cycling, but he had made sure that as much good could come from his passing as possible by signing the organ donor register and telling his family.

Andy’s wife Katy said: “Andy was loved so very much, he was a wonderful father to our two-and-a-half-year-old son Oscar and identical twin girls Eleanor and Chloe, born only two months ago. He had such an interesting and varied life; he loved his family and had many friends. He will be so sadly missed by everyone who knew him. It is utterly tragic that his children will grow up without a father”.

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“Signing the donation papers was much easier in the knowledge that it was Andy’s wish; a donation requires both the donor’s and family consent. Being on the donor register was especially important to Andy in the knowledge that many people with cystic fibrosis require lung transplants later in life.”

Katy and Andy’s eldest child, Oscar has cystic fibrosis.  Andy left his job shortly after Oscar was born in order to look after him.  A JustGiving page has been set up in Andy’s memory to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The page has already raised over £10,000, and people can help it go further by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/Charltonfamily.

For many with the life-shortening condition of cystic fibrosis, a lung transplant is the only way to prolong life. Cystic fibrosis is the third most common reason for lung transplantation (16.8%) and has the best survival rate (60% at five years). However, once on the waiting list, patients are expected to live no more than two years, and the average wait for a lung transplant is 412 days. This is among the longest waiting times for transplant in Europe:

  • Austria 107 days
  • Belgium 194 days
  • France 110 days
  • Germany 244 days
  • Netherlands 594 days
  • Spain 180 days
  • UK 412 days

Earlier this year the Cystic Fibrosis Trust published the Hope for More report, containing 12 recommendations for increasing the number of successful transplants for people with cystic fibrosis, and improving the quality of care they receive throughout.

To support Andy’s family in raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust please visit the JustGiving page set up in Andy’s memory.

Register to become a donor like Andy at: www.organdonation.nhs.uk/how_to_become_a_donor 

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Nisha Kotecha is the Founder of Good News Shared. Having worked and volunteered for charities in the UK for over 10 years, Nisha is on a mission to highlight how amazing charities are.

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