Bethany Horchover
(Picture: NHS Blood and Transplant/St John)A bereaved father has paid tribute to his daughter, who has been honoured after gifting her organs so that others could live.
Neil Horchover, from Ruislip, accepted the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation on behalf of his daughter Bethany, who passed away two years ago at the age of 16.
Over the space of a weekend in November 2021, Bethany developed a cold which quickly developed into sinusitis.
“We watched the Chelsea match and Formula 1 on TV, and she was making plans with her friends to see them at school the following week –however, a parent’s worst fear happened when an intense headache on the Monday got progressively worse overnight, resulting in a 999 call.
“Bethany lost consciousness and was transferred the next day from our local hospital to Great Ormond Street.
“Bethany never regained consciousness and we were told that her brain had a sudden acute infection which had left her with no signs of brain activity,” Neil said.
Neil had lost his father the year before and had spoken to his children about organ donation. Bethany’s tragic illness took him back to that conversation.
He added: “While waiting for the brain stem test that would officially conclude she had no brain function, our minds went back to the family conversation. While we would always have made the decision to donate her organs, to know with 100 per cent certainty that it was what she would have wished, made it a bit easier.
“Sadly, the brain stem test confirmed what we already knew, and the transplant team went through the process of gaining our consent for organ donation. We then said our goodbyes to Bethany.”
The next day, Bethany’s heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and corneas were all retrieved to help other people across the UK in what Neil described as a heartbreaking but proud moment.
“As parents we are heartbroken at the death of our daughter but honoured and proud that she has helped others live.
“In my darkest moments since, I often think of the recipients, with love that our daughter could not even comprehend why you would keep your organs if they could help someone else. I smile knowing they are being used.”
Neil was just one of many families collecting the awards across the country.
Christopher William Streat from Fulham also posthumously received the award which was accepted by his wife Maria, 40 and his two children Rosalita, 8, and Santino, 6.
“Receiving the award on behalf of Christopher was incredibly emotional but it helped me to explain to the children what a wonderful man their father was and how the gift of his organs helped five people,” Maria said.
More than 4,000 people donated their organs after death in 2019, 2020 and 2021, leading to around 10,000 patients’ lives being saved or transformed over those three years.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The pride families feel at these moving ceremonies truly is inspirational. Transplant patients tell us that organ donors and their families are heroes and the Order of St John award is a chance for us all to recognise them and their amazing contribution to society.
“We hope these awards will inspire other people in London to tell their families they want to save lives. Being clear with your family about what you want makes things easier at a difficult time, by leaving them certain about your organ donation decision.
“Families say donation is a source of pride that helps them in their grief and we want to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to donate and save lives.
“Please tell your family about your organ donation decision and join the NHS Organ Donor Register.”
For more information about organ donation, or to register your organ donation decision, please visit organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. NHS app users can also use the service to record, check or update their organ donation decision. Please tell your family about your organ donation decision and leave them certain of your wishes.
