landmark ceramic public artwork, created by artists in partnership with donor recipients and families of people who donated their organs to save others, has been unveiled by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust at their Oxford Road Campus in Manchester.
Curated and led by Lime Arts, the moving artwork reflects the impact of organ donation on both donor and recipient.
Groups of families whose loved ones sadly died, but saved so many others by becoming donors came together, along with people whose lives were saved by donors, and worked together over a four-year period to create the unique artwork, with poet John McAuliffe and lead artists Liam Curtin and Stephen Raw.
After her son died from a sudden catastrophic illness, Judy Coutinho and her family made the decision to honour his wish to be an organ donor. He had previously signed the NHS Organ Donor Register and his donation went on to save or improve the lives of others:
“Being part of the Organ Donor Recognition Artwork Project has given me the chance to truly honour my son’s legacy as an organ donor. It has been incredibly special to work with Lime Arts and the artists, healthcare professionals and other donor families who have jointly created a unique tribute.
“We have laughed, cried and had fun together but have never lost sight of its purpose in recognising the precious life-saving gift that organ donation gives to others.
“I tragically lost my eldest son Alex when he was 27 years old. I still remember having to break into the apartment where he was staying as he had collapsed and was not breathing. Alex had suffered from a sudden massive brain haemorrhage around the brain stem. My handsome, charismatic son would never be able to breathe again and there was no hope. I remember telling the A&E consultant at Manchester Royal Infirmary that I knew what this all meant and that Alex would want to be an organ donor.”
