Five lives saved by one man’s organ donation

The family of a man who gave life to five terminally ill people has appealed for others to become organ donors in the event of their death.

A heart, a lung, two kidneys, and a liver belonging to Philip McCormack were donated to transplant patients after his sudden death last year.

Mr McCormack, 40, helped inspire the 11850 “nifty fifty” motorbike advertisements, restored the classic Honda 50s used in the ads, and trained the moustache-wearing twins ‘Nifty’ and ‘Fifty’ to ride them. He also appeared in one of the ads

His family has received letters from the people who received his organs, including a 29-year old man who was bedridden in hospital for a year.

Mr McCormack’s sister Avril Henry said: “I got a letter from the young man who got Philip’s heart. He said he was ready to die. He had a massive heart attack and he was in a bed for a year. The letter was heartbreaking, but in a good way.

“It’s a great relief when you see the outcome of what Philip’s organs have done for other people who would probably be dead now. Everyone should have a donor card, and everyone should have the organ donor conversation with their loved ones,” said Mr McCormack’s brother, Jim.

“It’s still very hard but knowing there are five people walking around because of Philip makes me even more proud of him.”

Mr McCormack’s brother-in-law Michael died in a motorcycle crash in New York in 2005. “They’re up there now in heaven together, I believe, laughing at us all down here,” Ms Henry said.

Mr McCormack gave life to two women in their 60s who received his kidneys; a man in his 60s who got a lung; and a 30-year old woman who received his liver.

“The guy who got Philip’s heart was in hospital for a year in bed. He couldn’t walk around and now he’s flying it. I got a letter from Beaumont Hospital informing me that all the organ recipients were doing well,” said Jim.

“Knowing that has been a great help to all the family, especially our parents Eileen and Jim Sr.

“I really hope everyone who reads this will decide to donate their organs, but even if it’s just one person, it’ll be worth it for whoever gets those organs.”