Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust announces plans to honour Organ Donation

 On Monday, 18 September, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust announced plans for a 2 metre wide, stunning steel sculpture which will honour those people whose gifts of organ and tissue donation have given life and improved the lives of so many.

The announcement is being made as part of National Organ Donation Week (18-24 September) – a week-long campaign that takes place every year, with the aim of raising awareness about the need for organ and tissue donors.

Working with colleagues and those directly affected by organ and tissue donation, the tree design was chosen as representative of life, growth, and memory. It will see the names of donors engraved on unique hand-made leaves.

The tree will be made by artist, Chris Townsend and is one of a series he has produced to celebrate and remember individuals who have donated. Chris has been a sculptor since 1999, graduating with a first-class honours degree in Fine Art and Psychology in 1996.

Karen Moxham, Associate Director, Medical Director and Chief Executive Offices (Chair of the Organ and Tissue Committee) said: “This sculpture will be displayed prominently in the main entrance area of the Trust, showing our commitment to this vitally important agenda.

“I’d urge people across Chesterfield to use this as a prompt to tell their families if they want to become donors, in the event that they can be considered. There are obviously some tragic circumstances around donating organs and tissue but not all are through death. We do have live donations such as kidneys, and this sculpture will recognise all contributions.

“We believe this is a positive way to mark the incredible contributions individuals make to the lives of others through these acts. Despite the ‘opt out’ law coming into place from May 2020, loved ones still need to be consulted before donation goes ahead.

“Perhaps this tree will not only act as a reminder of the sacrifices people make, the bravery of the decision but also to understand what relatives and loved ones wish to happen if the situations arise.”

There will be a number of leaves on the tree when it is installed, which will be added to over the years. Last year (2022-23) we had 6 consented donors at the Trust with 11 patients receiving a transplant during the time period. Additionally, four corneas were received by NHSBT Eye Banks from our Trust.

The sculpture will be installed in November, after completion.

The tree will be constructed from mild and bright steel welded together.

If anybody has details of a previous donor from Chesterfield Royal Hospital, they are able to contact crhft.medicaldirectorsoffice@nhs.net. There will be no cost to the individual.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has today (Monday, 18 September) announced plans for a 20metre wide, stunning steel sculpture which will honour those people whose gifts of organ and tissue donation have given life and improved the lives of so many.

The announcement is being made as part of National Organ Donation Week (18-24 September) – a week-long campaign that takes place every year, with the aim of raising awareness about the need for organ and tissue donors.

Working with colleagues and those directly affected by organ and tissue donation, the tree design was chosen as representative of life, growth, and memory. It will see the names of donors engraved on unique hand-made leaves.

The tree will be made by artist, Chris Townsend and is one of a series he has produced to celebrate and remember individuals who have donated. Chris has been a sculptor since 1999, graduating with a first-class honours degree in Fine Art and Psychology in 1996.

Karen Moxham, Associate Director, Medical Director and Chief Executive Offices (Chair of the Organ and Tissue Committee) said: “This sculpture will be displayed prominently in the main entrance area of the Trust, showing our commitment to this vitally important agenda.

“I’d urge people across Chesterfield to use this as a prompt to tell their families if they want to become donors, in the event that they can be considered. There are obviously some tragic circumstances around donating organs and tissue but not all are through death. We do have live donations such as kidneys, and this sculpture will recognise all contributions.

“We believe this is a positive way to mark the incredible contributions individuals make to the lives of others through these acts. Despite the ‘opt out’ law coming into place from May 2020, loved ones still need to be consulted before donation goes ahead.

“Perhaps this tree will not only act as a reminder of the sacrifices people make, the bravery of the decision but also to understand what relatives and loved ones wish to happen if the situations arise.”

There will be a number of leaves on the tree when it is installed, which will be added to over the years. Last year (2022-23) we had 6 consented donors at the Trust with 11 patients receiving a transplant during the time period. Additionally, four corneas were received by NHSBT Eye Banks from our Trust.

The sculpture will be installed in November, after completion and the tree will be constructed from mild and bright steel welded together.

If anybody has details of a previous donor from Chesterfield Royal Hospital, they are able to contact crhft.medicaldirectorsoffice@nhs.net. There will be no cost to the individual.