A dad who woke experiencing agonising back pain died two days later, his heartbroken family say.
Greg Schmitz woke one morning suffering terrible spasms of pain, and had organised to see a chiropractor in a few days' time.
His grieving wife Lee-Anne says Greg cried out in agony after she left him with painkillers while getting their son Dylan ready for school, saying, "I could tell I was losing him and immediately rang 999".
The dad-of-two from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, tragically died two days later in hospital in February 2021, Belfast Live reports, with the family now speaking out after discovering three of Greg's organs went on to save people's lives.
Recalling the horrific events that led to Greg's death, Lee-Anne said: "It was such a surreal situation as I was aware of doing everything I could to save my husband and at the same time ensure the children were safe, out of sight and unalarmed."
Lee-Anne said an air ambulance was sent straight to their home as Greg continued to writhe in agony, with paramedics immediately working on him before transporting him to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.
Hospital medics were able to restart Greg’s heart, but tragically he died two days later.
"The doctor at the hospital explained that Greg had received textbook care, and everything was done that could have been," Lee-Anne continued.
"It meant that we had no unanswered questions. It meant that we had a little time at hospital to prepare for Greg’s passing and say goodbye. And, importantly, it meant three of Greg’s organs were able to be donated.
"Recently I received a letter from one of the donors who received two of Greg’s organs, saving his life with a kidney and pancreas transplant.
"The donor wanted to express his thanks and sympathies on my loss.
"It was wonderful to receive this, knowing that Greg and I had saved another family from going through the pain of losing a dad and a husband. It brings me a lot of comfort."
Lee-Anne has spoken out two years after Greg's death to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation, after raising £20,000 for NI's local air ambulance charity.
"About a year and a half after Greg’s death I was in the right place to think about giving something back to the charity Air Ambulance NI," she said.
"I wanted this to be a fundraiser fitting to remember Greg’s life."
Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising from the charity said that Lee-Anne’s experience illustrates the reality that lives can change in an instant.
"The loss of Greg at such a young age is truly tragic and our thoughts are with her and the family," she said.
"Lee-Anne’s strength of character is amazing, and we are humbled that she has been able to think of the service and donate this considerable sum that will go a long way in helping many future families who need the service of the HEMS team.
"Thank you Lee-Anne and thanks also to everyone who helped make your fundraiser such a huge success."
Lee-Anne finished by saying: “Knowing that the provision of air ambulance requires charitable input was a lightbulb moment for me and I’m passionate about raising awareness as much as possible.
"This is a crucial service that is there for each of us every day should the worst happen. I encourage everyone to remember and support their air ambulance."
