“Mum donated everything she was allowed to give”

"She was a person who looked after people and offered to help, and I like to think she continued to do this even when her life ended."

Those are the words of Bianca Corney, whose mum Helen Robbins became an organ donor in 2023.

"My Mum was a truly amazing person. She was not average in any way," says Bianca, who was presented with an Order of St John award in recognition of Helen's donations. "She never married, enjoyed being free and backpacked right up until her death. She had a passion for animals and spent her life helping them."

Bianca was given the award, which honours donors and their families for saving and improving the lives of others, at a ceremony in London.

"Receiving the award on behalf of Mum was surreal," she says. "The ceremony was lovely, and it was held in a stunning building. It's not an event you want to attend but it was important to receive this honour on behalf of Mum."

Alongside joining the NHS Organ Donor Register, it's important to talk to your loved ones and make sure they understand and support your decision to donate your organs if you wish to do so. Bianca credits the open conversations she and her mum had with removing any doubt.

"Mum and I were very close; nothing was off the table," she says. "We had all the difficult conversations and spoke about everything. I knew how Mum felt about organ donation.

"Sadly, Mum had an accident while renovating her dream cottage in Cornwall and sustained a serious head injury from which she could not recover. Mum was taken to the local hospital and then airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth while medics established if her injury could be treated.

"While we waited for news I spoke to medics and told them that Mum was registered as an organ donor and that if Mum did not recover this would be what she wanted.

"For me it wasn't a difficult or big decision, Mum was physically fit and strong – she looked after herself and her organs would have gone to waste and would have died with her if I hadn't agreed to organ donation.

"When Mum was taken to theatre I went with her, I got into bed and cuddled her before I had to say goodbye. It was the worst time of my life but hand on heart I have never questioned or regretted my decision."

Helen donated her kidneys, liver, corneas and heart valves – "everything she was allowed to give", says Bianca. Currently, more than 8,000 people in the UK are in need of an organ transplant. Helen's decision has helped at least three of those people.

"Mum's recipients are alive because she gave a gift that she no longer needed," says Bianca. "I hope her recipients now have more time with their family, more time to enjoy another Christmas, another birthday.

"Anything that encourages talking about organ donation is important. I wear the Yes, I Donate pin badge plus my gold heart in memory of Mum. I will now honour her memory and live my life to its fullest."

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said:

"Organ donors give the ultimate gift of life to people they will never know.

"It is incredibly important that we recognise the difference this makes to the lives of recipients. Without donation, there is no transplantation. There will be people starting a new life thanks to the generosity of these donors and their loved ones."

The waiting list for a transplant is the highest it has been in a decade. To confirm your organ donation decision, visit our website, call 0300 123 23 23 or use the NHS app in England.