People in Greater Manchester told-You Could Be A Lifesaver

People living in Greater Manchester are being asked to act now – because you could be a lifesaver. NHS Blood and Transplant, which oversees organ donation in the UK, is calling on everyone in Greater Manchester to add their name and decision to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Every organ donor can save up to nine lives after they die by giving their organs to patients waiting for a transplant.

Thirty-eight people in Greater Manchester became an organ donor after their death in 2021/22. And 180 patients waiting for a transplant in Greater Manchester received a life changing gift last year.

One person who knows the comfort organ donation brings to donor families is Louise Callaghan. Her son, Jacob Reid Callaghan died and donated his organs to save the lives of others. Jacob received the Order of St John award for organ donation last year in recognition of his life-saving gift.

Jacob was a quiet and kind young man. He had some struggles in his life but led a quiet and happy life – enjoying spending time with family and his best friend Glenn, gaming, music, walking with the family dog and the theatre. Jacob, 29, was a big Manchester City fan and very close to his mum, Louise and his grandma, Carole Williams, who he lived with.

Sadly Jacob, from Swinton, fell and banged his head at home one day in September 2021, possibly due to a seizure.

The accident caused a catastrophic brain injury that Jacob could not recover from. He donated both his kidneys to save two lives and his tissue to hopefully help many other people in future.

His mum Louise, says, “I’m so proud of Jacob, he is my hero. I miss him so much, people say it gets easier but it doesn’t. He was the kindest person in the world, he wouldn’t hurt a soul and he was my angel.

“He was quiet and private unless he knew you, then he’d come out of his shell more. Jacob was a real homebird and loved being with me and his grandma. He enjoyed holidays but always looked forward to getting home.

“Jacob chose to be a donor himself. He joined the register when he got his driving licence at 17. Then a few years later we were talking, I said I definitely wanted to be an organ donor and Jacob said he’d already chosen and was on the list. I didn’t think I’d need the information, that he would go before me.

“Then my mum found him on the bathroom floor one morning. I went straight round and it was so traumatic, he’d been ok and talking then was unconscious. We went to hospital and I still thought he was going to be ok but they said he had a catastrophic brain injury.

“The organ donation team spoke to us and said Jacob wanted to be a donor, I wouldn’t say no – my Jacob had chosen to be a donor, I said absolutely, go for it. I wanted to honour Jacob’s wishes.

“It was easier because we’d spoken. I think we’d have done it anyway as Jacob was that kind and caring. But the fact we’d had that conversation meant I had to go with what Jacob said, it was his choice.

“Everyone was amazing, I got to sleep beside him, play him his music, they just helped us every step of the way. Jacob donated his kidneys and tissue, so in keeping with the beautiful person he was.

“When I went to the Order of St John awards, I was so proud. I went up to collect it from all the officials and we had our photo taken. I’ve got his certificate up at home and his medal. Something good has come from all this and now sharing his story will help others too and it was all worth it.

“Get your family told about what you want so you can help others. Organ donation was Jacob’s choice and he has saved lives.

“Jacob had his struggles but he was happy and we have all our memories. He’s at peace now and he is around me all the time, I know he is. Jacob was my only child and was the best boy ever. He had low self-esteem and didn’t feel special but he has saved lives and everyone thinks he is a hero. I’m just so proud of him.”

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