Mum's organ donation fight in memory of son who died in freak accident

A nurse whose son died in a freak accident just days before he turned 22 is promoting organ donation to save the lives of others.
Worthing nurse Wendy Kane with her son, Jack BergerWorthing nurse Wendy Kane with her son, Jack Berger
Worthing nurse Wendy Kane with her son, Jack Berger

Jack Berger, from Crawley, died after slipping and hitting his head on the pavement while walking his girlfriend Charlotte to the bus stop in Jersey Road in November.

He was airlifted to hospital where neurosurgeons tried to save his life but he died two days later.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His mother Wendy Kane, from Shoreham, is raising money for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust.

She said: “Even though Jack’s life was unable to be saved, if it wasn’t for the work of the air ambulance and its crew, it would not have been possible for organ donation to take place.

She is hosting a memorial evening on the anniversary of Jack’s death and plans to run in the Brighton Marathon next year.

“It’s a way that helps us remember Jack and keep his memory alive,” said Wendy, who has raised £3,700 so far.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jack, who was going to be promoted in his job as a sales advisor for EE in Crawley, had strongly supported organ donation, persuading friends to sign the donor register.

Now Wendy, who works at Worthing Hospital, has taken up the banner.

She said: “At the moment at least three people die each day due to the lack of donors.

“Jack always said, ‘You don’t need it when you are gone, give the chance to someone else to live a life they maybe wouldn’t have had a chance to live’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I have always been very pro-organ donation but after losing Jack it has really made me look at it in a very passionate way.

“Some people may feel that they wouldn’t want things taken from their loved one who has just died but I didn’t feel it was like that for me, it was a chance to give the gift of life to another person.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: