Woman Honored Posthumously For Organ Donation At Special Awards Ceremony in England

An organ donor from Tollesbury village in England, who died of a brain hemorrhage and saved the lives of four others, has been honored at a special awards ceremony.

Kim Ponder (48), a counselor, donated her lungs, liver and kidneys, which saved lives of four recipients. Her husband Tim Ponder (50), of Kents Grass, received the posthumous award following a ceremony in Chelmsford.

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The Order of St John award for Organ Donation is run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant. The awards are presented to the families and loved ones of those who saved and improved people’s lives through organ donation.

Ponder said, “The award is lovely to get. When I look back now donating her organs was a no brainer. At the time it was a hard decision but everyone should do it. It is comforting to think that someone is benefiting.”

NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for others to be inspired by the selfless act of organ donation.

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The number of deceased organ donors in the UK dropped between April 2014 and March 2015, for the first time in 11 years.

Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said, “We have been overwhelmed by the pride and experiences shared by the hundreds of families who have accepted the award on their loved one’s behalf. It never ceases to amaze me just how humble people are when you speak to them about having helped to save the lives of patients who were desperately ill.”

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“I have never spoken to a single person who has ever regretted their decision to donate. These families deserve this honor and recognition to mark their loved ones life-saving gifts,” she added.

Source-Medindia

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