It brought me to tears to hear Michael Gremmo talk with Chris Smith on 2GB last Thursday morning about the loss his beloved son Nathan who was critically injured crossing the road earlier this year:
http://www.2gb.com/audioplayer/124846
His parents, Kylie and Michael Gremmo, were told the next day nothing could be done to save their son’s life and they were asked if they would they consider donating his organs.
“At first we were taken aback but after speaking with his sisters Annaliese and Ashley, we thought we would proceed as it was in keeping with Nathan’s generous nature,” they said.
“They wanted someone to have Nathan’s big heart. It was the best part of him.”
“Nathan loved his animals and documentaries and he had been fascinated with a documentary about organ donation about a month before his accident,” Mr Gremmo said. “We talked about what a wonderful gift it was to give someone a second chance of life.”
The ripple effect of Nathan’s death has been huge. More than 3000 people attended his memorial service at Oakhill College where Michael Gremmo talked about organ donation and Nathan’s “gift” of life.
Nathan’s heart, lungs, pancreas, kidneys and liver were donated, helping save six people including a baby.
“It’s encouraging to know that, despite our huge loss, Nathan is continuing to help people,” Mr Gremmo said.
“Nathan’s heart never stopped beating, it was a fitting gift to give. The gift summed up his generous, caring, thoughtful and persistent character.”
