family photoA 26-year-old “hero” who died in a farming accident saved the lives of four others by donating his organs, his partner has said.
Macauley Owen, a foundation engineer from Anglesey, died in hospital after being struck in the head by the rear gate of a tractor-trailer on January 6, 2023.
His partner Derris Owen, 43, said: “His heart is still somewhere, somewhere, with someone.”
Of the four patients who received organs from Mr. McCauley, including one patient who wrote a letter thanking Mr. McCauley for saving his life, there was a sense that he was still alive. she said.
Macaulay's accident, which left him with severe brain and chest injuries, occurred on January 3, 2023.
He died three days later, on Derris' birthday.
With no hope of survival, specialist nurses discussed the delicate issue of organ donation with Delice and McCauley's parents.
It wasn't something they discussed, but without their knowledge, McCauley had signed the organ donor register twice.
“I'm extremely proud of him…just a huge, huge pride,” Delis said.
“He's actually signed twice over the years, so that made the decision a little bit easier.
“That was a bit of a surprise because he was never good at writing or computers.
“It really made me laugh that he was able to find the register and sign it. I'm glad he did.”
Among those who received his organs was a woman who contacted Derris.
In her letter, she wrote, “There are too few words to thank you for the kind… generous act you have done for me.
“Thank you for donating your organs. People like you do.” [the] The most inspirational people in this world.
“I am so sorry for your loss. I am growing stronger and healthier every day, and I will always keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.”
This is a letter that Delis treasures.
“She was a mother, but she couldn't play with her kids or be a normal mother because she was sick,” she said.
“Then, if you think about it, [Macauley] Two people's lives were saved or strengthened there. ”
family photoMr Delice is encouraging people to sign the organ donation register and discuss the issue with friends and family.
Like other families of organ donors, Delice received a heart of gold and wears it with pride.
“I love to wear it, and people ask what it's for. I love just telling them – he was a hero.”
Deris is part of a team walking through Yar Widfa, also known as Snowdon, to raise awareness during Organ Donation Week, which starts on September 23.
Similar walks are carried out on Britain's other highest peaks, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Slieve Donard.
Wales has the lowest organ donation rate in the UK
Typically, around 1% of people who die in the UK each year are able to donate their organs after death.
The consent rate for people who consent to organ donation after being consulted is 56% in Wales.
This is lower than the rest of the UK, with England at 60%, Scotland at 61% and the highest rate in Northern Ireland at 66%.
In the year to 31 March, 154 people in Wales received an organ transplant from a deceased donor and 65 people in Wales donated their organs posthumously.
Since 2015, people who have not registered their organ donation preference are considered comfortable becoming a donor.
However, if the wishes of the deceased are unclear, the final decision is often left to the family.
There is no consensus as to why Wales lags behind other UK countries in consent rates for organ donation.
Organ donation nurse specialist Phil Jones said organ donation rates in north Wales were “on the slightly lower side at the moment”.
He said apathy could be a factor, with Wales having operated a deemed consent system for longer than the rest of the UK.
“We had a very strong media campaign in the beginning, and that went on and on for about two or three years,” he said.
But while families are usually aware of the law change, many don't understand what it means, he said.
“We need to get back to putting this into the public domain again,” he said.
“Let's send an important message out to the world to encourage families to discuss death, dying, and the choice of organ donation.”
