Maham Majeed died suddenly last May at the age of 21. But her selfless choices have meant that her death has helped save so many other lives - with her liver, kidneys, and corneas all donated to those in need.
Her family, who struggled to accept her final wish at first, have now spoken of the immense pride they have in Maham being able to give the gift of life and sight to others. The young woman, from Bury, Greater Manchester, who was set to study nursing at college, had signed up to be an organ donor at the age of 18 without her parent's knowledge.
Following her death, her family came across her donor card in her wallet and felt it right to respect her request - with her kidneys and liver being donated to save three lives, while her tissues, corneas (part of the eye which gives sight), and bone have helped many people, and her heart has been donated for research.
Her mother, Nazia, 53, has spoken openly about how her daughter's organ donation has brought them comfort after their heartbreaking loss, and the pride they feel as Maham was posthumously awarded the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation - one of 35 honours given out to organ donors from across Greater Manchester at a recent ceremony in Manchester.
Nazia describes her daughter, who was vegan, as compassionate with a "tender heart".
"She was very concerned about other people and their problems and would help anyone," she said.
"I remember she mentioned to me wanting to be an organ donor. But I never knew that she joined the register at 18 until she passed away. It was not easy and my initial reaction was 'I can't let anyone take anything out of my baby's body'.
"My eldest daughter, Farina, said we should respect Maham's final wish and it was not the right thing to stop it. We found a card in her wallet too so it was clear to us and we respected her wishes.
"You don't really think about these things, especially when someone is young. It was natural for Maham to think of organ donation, that's just what she was like.
"Her organs have saved so many lives, which is comforting to me. My daughter is no more but her organs have given the spark of life to other people, maybe a daughter or son, wife or husband, brother or sister.
"It was hard at the funeral to see her body with stitches but at the end of the day you realise that the body is just a body, her legacy is life which is more important. In our religion we say to save one life is to save the whole of humanity.
"I've shared with everyone, family and friends, how proud I feel that she has saved so many lives."
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.
The mum-of-two says that in the Muslim community there is little awareness of organ donation, which she wants to change.
"I want to make them aware it is something they should consider," Nazia explained.
"When you have no life but healthy organs, why not donate them? I don't think it is any problem in the Muslim religion, the most important thing is life, and saving a life, there is nothing bigger. Saving lives is more important then burying healthy organs.
"We know people waiting, imagine that phone call to say an organ is available, it is chance at life and the biggest gift you can give anyone is the gift of life."
On attending the Order of St John ceremony, Nazia added: "It is very comforting that Maham has made a difference to so many people's lives. It was nice to get her award, it was a very proud moment for me and my family."
Mick Messinger, chancellor of the priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John, said: "We are delighted to be able to work with NHS Blood and Transplant to run the Order of St John Awards for Organ Donation again.
"It is so important to recognise all organ donors and it is an inspiration to meet the families attending the ceremonies. Organ donation saves lives, and it is a genuine privilege to be able to say thank you to these families, whose loved ones have had such an impact on others.
"Organ donation is a most precious gift and even though the law around organ donation has changed to an opt out system, it is important that people know that families will still be consulted. It is still just as important as ever to register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and let you family know what you want to happen."
Meanwhile, new funding for local charities and community groups has been announced as part of the ongoing commitment of the Government and NHS to tackle health inequalities for those in need of life-saving transplants or regular blood transfusions.
The Community Grants Programme, previously known as the Community Investment Scheme, is run by NHS Blood and Transplant and aims to fund community, faith or belief organisations to deliver projects that encourage more black and Asian people to become donors.
For more information about organ donation, or to register your organ donation decision, please visit: www.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.
Do you have a story about organ donation? Please get in touch at saffron.otter@reachplc.com
