Sue McCormack was looking forward to her wedding anniversary, planning to retire and spend more time with her grandchildren when she was suddenly taken ill in 2016 and rushed to hospital. Tragically, Sue’s family were given the devastating news that she had suffered a bleed on her brain and there was nothing medics could do.
Sue, who had always been supportive of organ donation and had registered with NHS blood and Transplant, had made her wishes very clear: If anything was to ever happen to her – she wanted to help others. Ultimately, Sue’s thoughtful actions meant that three adults and six children who needed organ transplants are now living better quality lives.
The McCormacks, residents of Moorends, weren’t letting Sue’s legacy stop with the nine lives she saved. As a way to say ‘thank you’, they began fundraising in her name in order to make a donation to the Critical Care Unit at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
Sue’s husband Nick said: “Sue had the kindest heart in the world. She would talk to anyone and you’d be talking for hours once you got her started. She was the life and soul of every party – first on the dance floor and the last off. She’s missed by so many people and that really shows in how much support we’ve had with the fundraising. Everyone who knew her has wanted to help and we’d like to thank all of our family and friends, and everyone at the Canal Tavern in Thorne for all their support and fundraising efforts.”
The McCormacks raised £6,300 for the Critical Care Unit where they stayed and spent their last night with Sue. Nick said: “We wanted to give something back to Critical Care because the level of compassion they extended to Sue was exceptional, even down to making sure her hair was done and she had her glasses on when we said goodbye. All the staff were fantastic and couldn’t do any more than they did.
“We all miss Sue but we are extremely proud of the difference she made. Every time someone came in to tell us they had found a donor match we all felt comforted knowing that another family somewhere was getting good news. It really helped us through losing Sue so suddenly to know that something positive came from it.”
Some of the money raised has been used to purchase a supportive armchair which allows patients on the Critical Care Unit, who would otherwise be confined to their beds, to sit up and even be able to spend periods of time outside in the fresh air. Donations to the service have also been used to refurbish and furnish a family room with a home-from-home atmosphere.
Annette Trotter, Sister on the Critical Care Unit, said: “Nick and his family have been inspirational in how they have focused their energy on raising money for DCC. This large sum of money has enabled us to buy chairs to assist in the rehabilitation of our patients. These chairs allow ventilated but awake patients to sit out of bed in comfort. We have already seen positive benefits to the long-term rehabilitation of patients by having these chairs and we can’t thank the McCormacks enough.
“I also want to take a minute to specifically thank Sue for the selfless act of becoming an organ donor. From such a tragic event she has managed to affect so many lives in such a positive way. Sue was a very special person and many people owe her a debt of gratitude that will be never forgotten – she was, and remains, a true hero.”
If you’re not on the organ donor register and would like to sign up, you can register at organdonation.nhs.uk.