A tree of life.

Byline: Helen Sturdy

Organ donor families who have saved the lives of other patients celebrated the gift of life at a special ceremony in Middlesbrough.

Relatives who gave organs after their loved one's death took part in an emotional service to plant a remembrance tree at The James Cook University Hospital.

The commemoration took place on National Donor Day yesterday, when a red acer was placed in the new courtyard outside the intensive care unit to remember donor patients and their families.

Doctors from a number of clinical specialities also took part in the touching tribute, organised by the trust's donor liaison sister Tracey Ryder.

Maria Pannett, from Billingham, tragically lost her husband Derek, 49, in April 2001, after a brain haemorrhage.

"It was a sudden death but we had already talked about organ donation," said the 43-year-old.

"We approached the hospital and I feel brilliant about it.

"I think everyone should do it, your organs would only die with you so it is such a waste."

Throughout National Transplant Awareness Week, which runs until July 14, Tracey has organised a number of events to publicise the importance of organ donation and the life-saving benefits of transplants.

The key message she hopes to get across is to encourage people to think about the possibility of joining the donor register and to discuss that decision with their families.

"Families rarely refuse if they know that was the wish of their loved-one but often struggle with the decision if donation was never discussed," she said.

"If families are able to consider it, donation may be the one positive thing to come out of an otherwise tragic situation and does give the precious gift of life to others."

Last year, 2,333 transplants transformed the lives of critically ill people across the UK but more than 5,700 people are still on the waiting list, including 80 in the South Tees area.

Dr Stephen Bonner, consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care, said: "This tree symbolises the giving of life and new hope.

"It should also represent the lives of the patients who gave their organs."

* Anyone interested in joining the NHS organ donor register can phone [phone] or log onto www.uktransplant.org.uk