Jackie's final act of kindness acknowledged during DonateLife Week

Jacqueline McLaughlan was just 54 years old when she sadly passed away a week before Christmas last year.

Jacqueline, known as Jackie, lived with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Previously based in Darwin, Jackie had moved to Perth a year before her death to live with her Aunty, Lesley Knight.

"Jackie was the kindest person with the most beautiful nature," Lesley said.

"It was the weekend, and being December it was a very hot day, and Jackie said she wasn't feeling well.

"I sat with her on my bed hoping the air conditioning would cool her down but she became very breathless and just stopped breathing.

"I immediately called 000 – I then moved her onto the floor and started CPR and waited for the ambulance to arrive."

Once paramedics arrived, Jackie was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) where she was put on life support for the next six days.

"The FSH nursing staff were just amazing, I can still remember her room number – 102,"Lesley said.

"Our whole family travelled to be by her bedside and we were all able to say our final farewells.

"I was so grateful to be able to tell her every day that I loved her." 

Lesley, and Jackie's daughter, were both listed as next of kin and made the decision on Jackie's behalf to donate her organs – with her liver and kidneys deemed viable.

"Things happened quite quickly after that, and we were kept well informed all the way through with the transplant surgery going ahead on 18 December.

"Knowing Jackie had given three separate families the best Christmas present they could ever receive would have made her very happy."

This week is DonateLife Week (26 July - 2 August) with the country's major public awareness campaign urging more people to support organ and tissue donation.

Australians are being encouraged to talk to their loved ones about their personal wishes and take the time to formally register as an organ and tissue donor.

Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group Acting Service Director for Surgical Specialties, Jo Camilleri, said organ donation is one of the most generous gifts a person and their family can give.

"At a time of profound loss, the decision to become an organ donor can create hope and transform the lives of others," Jo said.

"We are deeply grateful to donors and their families for their courage and generosity, and we are proud of the compassionate care our staff provide to support them throughout this journey."

That compassionate care is still etched in Lesley's mind.

"There were lots of lovely staff at FSH but one that stands out is a male nurse called Jack - coincidentally – he was like an angel without wings," Lesley said.

"He was the staff member who also let us know about the quilts that were usually given to donors and their families as a permanent reminder of their generosity."

A keen sewer herself, Lesley belongs to a local sewing group and she made it her mission to pick up needle and thread and get to work on topping up the quilt supply.

"The whole group got on board and we ended up sewing 43 quilts with the WA Quilters Association going on to match our donation to ensure we could hand over more than 80 quilts."

"We made sure we catered for everyone – men, women, teenagers, babies - with different designs and sizes."

The group was able to present their quilts to the team from DonateLife WA late last month as part of a special morning tea.

Lesley and her family also took part for the first time in DonateLife WA's 'Lap for Life' around Galup Reserve last weekend to help raise awareness of organ and tissue donation.

"This time last year I never would've thought I'd be sewing quilts for organ donors and listening to inspiring recipient stories at a DonateLife Week walk, but here I am," Lesley said.

"I'm grateful to be a small part of helping raise awareness for organ donation and I know that Jackie would be pretty proud of my efforts too."

Visit the DonateLife website to register as an organ donor today.

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