Parents make heartbreaking request after tragic death of ‘caring and helpful’ son, 15

The parents of a 15-year-old boy have spoken of their ‘pride’ in their ‘caring and helpful’ son, whose donated organs helped save the lives of six people after his death.
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Nathan Howson, from Rotherham, died on July 15 following a bleed on his brain due to an undiagnosed condition.

And as they were given the devastating news that they would lose their son, Nathan’s parents Donna and Neil were faced with a decision they had never thought they would have to make.

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They learned that Nathan’s organs could save the lives of other people suffering from a variety of illnesses, and the couple gave permission for them to be used.

Nathan HowsonNathan Howson
Nathan Howson

Now they are using their story and their knowledge of the positive impact or organ donation to encourage other people to become donors.

Mrs Howson said: “When Neil and I were asked we didn’t need to think. Nathan was only 15 years old but his caring spread far and wide. He would help anybody in need. So we knew straight away what he would do.

"I feel proud for being able to say yes even though my whole world was falling apart.”

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Donna and Neil agreed to donate whatever was needed, including organs, soft tissue, eyes and a shin bone.

Nathan as a young boyNathan as a young boy
Nathan as a young boy

And now, just months after the donations, Nathan’s parents have started to hear from those whose lives Nathan’s organs have improved.

“We have been told that his organs have been given to six people so far, which we think is amazing,” Mrs Howson said.

“There are six people out there who can continue to live with a better quality of life because of Nathan’s loss.

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“It was very difficult. The decision to allow organ donation was easy, but losing a son is devastating.

Nathan Howson, whose organs have helped six people singe he donated them when he died aged 15Nathan Howson, whose organs have helped six people singe he donated them when he died aged 15
Nathan Howson, whose organs have helped six people singe he donated them when he died aged 15

“What I try to think about is all the people Nathan has helped.”

And through agreeing to donate Nathan’s organs, Donna and Neil learned that it is not just the recipients whose lives it can change. It benefits whole families and groups of friends who are affected by somebodies illness and quality of life.

One of the recipients was a man, who had suffered with diabetes and kidney failure.

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Mrs Howson said: “He had never known life without insulin and had kidney failure because of the diabetes.

Nathan HowsonNathan Howson
Nathan Howson

“He received Nathan’s pancreas and kidney and now he is diabetes free and does not have kidney failure.

“The man’s father thanked us for giving his son a chance at a longer and healthier life. His fiancee said they had not expected him to live much longer.

“It just goes to show that those organs have done for those people and also their families, which feels absolutely amazing.”

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Another recipient of Nathan’s was a boy, who received a new heart.

"When you think about a boy who needs a heart you are helping his parents and family get to spend longer with him. You are giving him a longer and healthier life,” Mrs Howson added.

Mrs Howson said Nathan was a healthy teenager but became ill quickly with a headache before losing consciousness.

Nathan HowsonNathan Howson
Nathan Howson

He was rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital but, despite emergency surgery and other medical treatment over a four day period, the damage to Nathan’s brain was extensive and he did not survive.

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His death was caused by a bleed resulting from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which is a tangle of blood vessels connected in an abnormal way.

Most people with an AVM, like Nathan, do not know until it bleeds.

Mrs Howson said: “We were in shock. We were in hospital for four days and it was a whirlwind. You go in with hope that he will come out alive, and then there is the surgery and all the meetings and the consent forms. It felt like a month went by in four days.

"The care from nurses never stopped. Even in the theatre after each bit of surgery there was a nurse with him to clean him up and get him ready for the next one.

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“I miss Nathan every single day but it is a comfort to know he lives on in others.

"I talk about Nathan with pride knowing how he was such a caring boy in life and now has been able to help people in his death.

"Six people are living longer healthier lives because of Nathan and that is something I will be proud to tell people until the day I die.

“We are hoping that we will, over time, hear from other families his organs have helped. We don’t want thanks but we would like to know that his organs are working and helping people and that the recipients are okay and well.

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“And hopefully Nathan’s story and knowing how it helps people will encourage other people to donate organs and raise awareness about how much organ donation can help people.”

Clare Croxall, specialist organ donation nurse at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, said: “Nathan helped six people through his donation and as a team of specialist nurses in organ donation and on behalf of the recipients, we will never be able to thank Nathan and his family enough.”

She said: “When families do find themselves in this position and they agree to donation we are always in awe of their selflessness in such a sad and terrible time for them.

“Nathan’s family personified this giving and generous nature by agreeing to organ donation despite their shock and grief.”

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As well as receiving support from Sheffield Children’s, Nathan’s family were able to say a further goodbye and spend time with Nathan at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in North Anston, South Yorkshire.

Mr and Mrs Howson, their son Adam and Nathan’s friends are now raising money for both Sheffield Children’s, through The Children’s Hospital Charity, and Bluebell Wood.

You can learn more about organ donation here.