Four years ago today, my life was saved by someone I never had the priviledge of meeting.

I didn't know them, I didn't know their family, they knew nothing about me.

Four years ago, life was very different. My lungs were functioning at just 16%. I was completely dependent on a variety of drugs to keep me alive, and wore oxygen 24 hours a day to support my fragile and exhausted lungs. I had a carer help me get out of bed and dress myself. I could not brush my own hair. I could not speak in full sentences. I was so breathless, I could not walk. I could not laugh.

Four years ago, someone, somewhere suffered a terrible tragedy. A family's world was turned upside-down, and in that moment, they made the decision to donate their loved one's organs.

Four years ago, after 22 months on the waiting list, I received the call that saved my life. Following the transplant, the doctors confirmed that without that call, I would not have lasted more than a couple of months. Because of that call, I have had four wonderful years of experiences, hopes, dreams, challenges, joys, sorrows, laughter, tears, birthdays, christmases, celebrations....of life.

The word thank you is not enough. The gratitude I feel is not enough. I ask you today to please keep that special family in your thoughts, because they are marking a very different kind of anniversary. I hope the knowledge of what they have done for me and the others saved that day brings them a little comfort. I cannot imagine how they are feeling.

I bang on and on about it, but it's because it is literally a matter of life and death. Organ Donarion saves lives, but apathy kills. One family, one decision, that's the only reason I'm here today. There are thousands of people in the position I was in four years ago, desperately hoping and waiting. People like Tor.

Please consider sharing this blog with anyone and everyone, and if you're reading this and have been motivated to sign up, you can do so here.

I remember my donor with each breath. Please, Live Life Then Give Life.