{"id":3408,"date":"2013-09-16T11:15:10","date_gmt":"2013-09-16T09:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ceidiog.com\/pr\/?p=3408"},"modified":"2019-04-24T11:55:56","modified_gmt":"2019-04-24T09:55:56","slug":"brave-gwenllians-organ-donation-campaign-in-memory-of-beloved-mum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ceidiog.com\/pr\/news\/brave-gwenllians-organ-donation-campaign-in-memory-of-beloved-mum\/","title":{"rendered":"Brave Gwenllian’s organ donation campaign in memory of beloved mum"},"content":{"rendered":"

A courageous teenager is urging more people to agree to donate their organs after they die – inspired by her beloved mother who died in a tragic accident last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwenllian Boyns, 16, is spurred on by the memory of a chat with her mother, Elen Meirion, which led to five people receiving life-changing transplants just a few weeks later.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The 43 year old primary school teacher passed away at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, in Bodelwyddan, on April 17 last year just two days after she tripped and fell down the stairs in an accident at her home in Rhewl, near Ruthin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite being torn apart by raw grief, Elen\u2019s family, including her brother, the popular tenor, Rhys Meirion, knew what the answer had to be when medics asked whether they\u2019d consider donating Elen\u2019s organs \u2013 a resounding yes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwenllian, who was then just 14, recalled the conversation she\u2019d had at home with her mum about organ donation and that her mum had clearly stated she would want to donate her organs to help others in the event of her death.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, Elen\u2019s pancreas, liver, kidneys and heart valves were donated and given to sick patients desperately in need of organ transplants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwenllian, a pupil of Ysgol Brynhyfryd, in Ruthin, is determined to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation as well as raising money to support the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where her mum received “wonderful care”.<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cIt was amazing really, only a few weeks before mum\u2019s accident we discussed donating organs as I was preparing a speech on the subject which I was writing to present in front of my English class.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen being told my mum would not get better after her accident doctors asked if donating her organs would be appropriate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought back to our talk and remembered we\u2019d both agreed it was the right thing to do when out time was up as our organs are no use to us after we die.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of this discussion we, as a family, did not hesitate to agree to donate mum\u2019s organs. By donating her organs she saved the lives of five other people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She added: \u201cI think we really need to raise awareness within families about organ donation so everyone knows what people want to do. Everyone should discuss it like mum and I did. It made the decision so much easier when we were told she was going to pass away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImagine how hard it would have been if we hadn\u2019t talked about it? We wouldn\u2019t have known what to do. And when the time comes you can\u2019t think straight as you are so upset.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwenllian has received three letters from some of the people who received her mum\u2019s organs which has proved a massive help as she tries to come to terms with her grief.<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWe aren\u2019t allowed to know their identity so the letters are anonymous. But it definitely helps knowing mum saved five other people through her organs being donated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to do something more to encourage people to talk about organ donation beforehand. It would make things easier if, like our family, the time comes when you have to think about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwenllian is determined to help Ysbyty Glan Clwyd by fundraising for the ICU department where doctors fought so hard to save her mum.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwenllian said: \u201cAfter mum passed away my dad, Robert Boyns, decided to do his first ever triathlon in Ripon and raise money to give something back to the hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe set up an account on justgiving.com where people could donate money towards Ysbyty Glan Clwyd ICU department where mum was cared for.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven before the triathlon people were donating, some gave big amounts and some donated anonymously. We set a target of \u00a3500 but raised a massive \u00a34,572.17 which was just incredible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She added: \u201cThe support we received from the hospital and healthcare staff was wonderful and this is why my dad and I decided to fundraise and donate money to the hospital through the charity Awyr Las. They were very understanding and explained everything in detail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cThere is a family room in the ICT department where we could go to rest but it was very dated and quite small. There was no digital TV or art work for example.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think what is needed is a comfortable room where you could go just for an hour or so to try and relax. Somewhere with good Wi-Fi so you can access e-mails and let everyone know what\u2019s happening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI found that everyone, other than close family at the hospital, were desperate for news of what was happening yet we couldn\u2019t let them know. So just being able to access Facebook or your e-mails would be really helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese are only little things but it would make such a difference for families in the situation we found ourselves in. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to raise more money towards the hospital as their care for my mum and my family was wonderful and we appreciate everything they did for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwenllian\u2019s dad, Robert, 45, says he decided to raise funds for the charity Awyr Las in support of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to support his daughter and to show his appreciation for the way Elen had been cared for.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI was so proud of Gwenllian and so pleased she had had that conversation with her mum about organ donation, It made the decision, when her family was asked about it so much easier.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI really wanted to raise funds for the hospital. I\u2019m a director and owner of an IT company, Boyns Information Systems Ltd, and we have, as a company, raised funds for several charities and good causes over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy interests are mainly sporting and I played rugby competitively until a few years ago. Triathlons seem to be quite popular with people of my age group who have stopped competitive sport, put on a few stone and started to panic about what to do in the future! \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI really wanted to support Gwenllian and to give something back to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Everyone at the hospital had been very kind and caring to Gwenllian and family at their time of need. They were empathetic, professional and caring and made what was a difficult time more bearable.\u201d
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\n<\/span>He added: \u201cI tackled an Olympic distance triathlon at Ripon Racecourse in July last year which involved a 1500m swim, a 40k cycle ride and finished with a 10k run.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoyed it because I believe I was able to raise money for Awyr Las but also involve Gwenllian and the family. For example, we were able to have a short break in Ripon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis proved invaluable as it allowed Gwenllian, to appreciate the purpose of it whilst at the same time having a bit of fun and taking her mind off things if only a little bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to annually raise money for different good causes as Gwenllian really inspires me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr George Bugelli, Consultant Anaesthetist at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, was extremely grateful for the donation.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWe do not often receive such large donations and want to thank Gwenllian and Roberts Boyns for all their hard fundraising efforts alongside their friends and networks to raise this generous amount.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a discussion with Gwenllian and Robert we jointly decided the donation would primarily support patient needs within the unit along with an upgrade to the relatives\u2019 room to equip it with suitable furniture, entertainment and artwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThrough our charity, Awyr Las, these types of donations are crucial to ensure we can enhance patient and family experiences with facilities over and above what the NHS can provide.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cath More, Community Fundraising Co-ordinator for the charity Awyr Las, which is Welsh for Blue Sky, says the charity\u2019s mission is to brighten the lives of hospital patients and people receiving care in North Wales communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWe are patient led in terms of where donations go. Our aim is to support the needs of patients but also to follow the wishes of donors. Exceptional care requires exceptional support.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe heart-warming feeling I get from speaking to inspirational people like Gwenllian and Robert, who just want to give something back, astounds me on a daily basis and it just shows how lucky we are to have such wonderful community support to help make a difference for healthcare across North Wales.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information about Awyr Las go to <\/span>www.awyrlas.org.uk<\/span><\/a> or you can email <\/span><\/strong>awyrlas@wales.nhs.uk<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or ring 01248 384395.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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