Organ donors leave behind relatives who need all the support they can get, especially when they keep thinking about the physical remains of their loved ones, the parents of a 20-year-old donor say.
Drew Abela passed away suddenly after suffering a brain haemorrhage in summer 2016. For his family and friends, he will be remembered for his gentle nature but for seven people who received his organs, he is a lifesaver.
In dealing with the tragic loss of their son, his parents, Sharon and Kenneth, funnelled their energy into the Life After Drew campaign.
In collaboration with the Transplant Support Group Malta, the campaign is raising awareness about the need of organ donation, encouraging others to register as donors and calling for a support structure that guides surviving relatives through the process.
“There are some misconceptions that keep cropping up in relatives’ minds about organ harvesting or being unsure that the deceased person has actually passed away. Relatives need continuous reassurance. In our case, the medical team was very caring and treated Drew with dignity,” Mr Abela told Times of Malta.
As the Be A Hero, Become A Donor campaign picks up steam, Ms Abela noted...
