Tissue donation recognised a decade after Rutland man's death
John's passing also saw his wife Sian work to make donation conversations easier for families
Last updated 30th Oct 2021
People from across the UK, who save lives or give hope through the gift of tissue donation, are being posthumously honoured.
Those who donate their tissue after death are being recognised with the Order of St John Award for Tissue Donation. This is run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), like the one given posthumously to solid organ donors, which is given to their families and loved ones on their behalf.
HRH Prince Richard, The Duke of Gloucester, Grand Prior of the Order of St John, officially launched the tissue donation awards recently at a moving private ceremony held at the Priory Church of the Order of St John in London.
It was attended by five tissue donor families and members of NHSBT’s tissue advisory group who were representing all tissue donor families, to mark the official launch of the scheme, alongside the Duke and representatives of the Order of St John and NHSBT.
The families of the around 3,500 people each year who donate their tissue after death to help others, are now being offered an award in their loved one’s name - a special certificate which they will receive by post. So far more than 2,000 tissue donors have been honoured in this way, with the official launch event taking place last week after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tissue donation is when corneas (the clear layer at the front of the eye), skin, heart valves, tendons, arteries and bone are donated after death. A tissue donor can potentially help more than 50 people.
Sian Cheverton from Rutland was one of the donor families in attendance. Sian received the award on behalf of her husband Dr. John Kevin Cheverton who donated tissues in 2010.
Sian says
“John enjoyed life. In his 40's he had three ambitions; to learn to fly, to scuba dive among a coral reef and to visit a tropical rain forest. Luckily he did not delay, and managed to do all three.
“John was a Biology teacher, and I am a doctor, so we naturally discussed lots of medical things and both decided to be organ donors, never thinking that such a decision would be acted on. But at the age of 53 in 2010, despite being fit, a non-smoker and having recently passed his pilot's medical, he suffered a catastrophic stroke.
"When the hospital doctors told us he would not survive, we remembered John's donor card and asked if donating was possible. They were uncertain but said someone would contact us. John died in the early hours of the morning 10 days after having his stroke.
“A few hours later, I was rung by NHS Blood and Transplant to ask for consent to donate tissues from John's body. I found the consent process as it was back then poor and overwhelming and despite knowing his wishes and the benefit donor tissues could confer, I had enormous difficulty in agreeing.
"Two things happened as a result. Because I complained about my experiences, I have had the opportunity to serve on the NHSBT Tissue Donor Advisory Group. Over the past seven years this group has helped to publicise tissue donation and has improved the relative consent process.
“Secondly, John's wishes were respected and cornea (eye), heart valve, skin and bone chippings were donated. Weeks later I had a letter saying one of John's corneas had been used to restore someone else's sight. I expect his other tissues have been equally appreciated. John would have been so proud of all this.
“Receiving a certificate of recognition and thanks on John's behalf, from NHS B&T and The Order of St John was a touching and comforting experience and I am so pleased other donor families will have this in future.”
Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis CBE KStJ DL, Prior of the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John, said:
“We are very pleased to be deepening our relationship with NHS Blood and Transplant with the launch of this new award for tissue donation. The impact that donations of this type can have is amply demonstrated by the inspiring stories of the families who were with us to receive recognition on behalf of their loved ones, whose donation should rightly be applauded.
“I too urge anyone to sign up for the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell their family they have done so. By making such a simple decision you could ultimately improve the lives of many other people.”
The award certificate features the Maltese Cross - which is used by the Order of St John and says The Order of St John is pleased to award and dedicate the insignia of national recognition to the cherished memory of (the donor) for the selfless contribution of adding life and giving hope to others from the gift of tissue donation. The award is sent to the family privately.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:
“It has been very moving to be able to officially launch our tissue donor awards. It is very important to recognise the gift of life and hope that each tissue donor and their family has given.
“It was a privilege to hear about the tissue donors’ stories from their families, and to see how proud those families were to receive this award on their behalf. Through the award we recognise the life-saving and improving difference tissue donors make, from restoring a person’s sight to providing skin to help those who are badly burned or saving someone’s life through the transplanting of heart valves.
“Every tissue donor in the UK can now be recognised and we hope their families will take pride and comfort in their loved one’s amazing contribution.
“One tissue donor can potentially help up to 50 people. Please talk to your family and tell them if you want to donate tissue or organs to help others after your death.”
The Order of St John Awards for Tissue Donation compliments the Order of St John Awards for Organ Donation, which have been running since 2013. All tissue and organ donors are now being honoured with an award to recognise their life-saving gift, which their families receive on their behalf. There are more than 5,000 tissue and organ donors a year in the UK – around 3,500 tissue donors and more than 1,500 organ donors.