– Kevin was a boy who was very curious. He was fond of science, news and loved to play football. He was also very protective of his younger brothers. That’s what mother Caroline Sivertstøl Stolsmo says. Five years have passed since 12-year-old Kevin was suddenly torn away from his family. At the hospital, the family made the choice that Kevin could be an organ donor. It saved the lives of six people who were waiting in the donor queue. – I don’t go around thinking that Kevin lives on in others, but it is very strong that he could contribute to others being able to continue living. Photo: Remi Sagen / news – This means that there are six organ recipients. And it’s not just the six people, it’s whole families. – They don’t have to go to a funeral – as Kevin’s parents had to. That’s what the doctor responsible for donors at St. Olav’s hospital in Trondheim, Johan-Arnt Hegvik, says. He admires the family’s choice. – It’s fantastically great done by the parents. Doctor responsible for donors at St. Olav’s hospital in Trondheim, Johan-Arnt Hegvik recommends that you talk about organ donation with your loved ones while you are healthy. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news Was at football training the day before It was in January 2019 that Kevin suddenly had a severe headache, felt nauseous and vomited. Mamma Caroline reacted and took him to the emergency room. – There we were sent on to the children’s ward at Ålesund Hospital. He quickly got much worse and after three hours he lost consciousness when we put him in the CT machine. It was then that the doctors saw that Kevin had a brain haemorrhage. He and his mother were rushed to St. Olav’s hospital by helicopter. When they got to the hospital, the doctors said they didn’t think the son would make it through the night. – I was completely in shock. The day before he had been to football training. In the room hang the football kits signed by the classmates. Photo: Remi Sagen / news The following morning, both Kevin’s father, brothers, grandparents and aunt had come up to Trondheim. – We were all there together. But Kevin didn’t wake up again. Asked themselves At the hospital, it was the parents themselves who raised the question of organ donation. – We sat there very despondent, and I don’t know how I found the strength to even think about it. But I at least asked the dad what he thought about Kevin being an organ donor. The family agreed that it was fine. – Everyone thought it made sense. Partly because Kevin was such a curious type who had thought it interesting to know how this was actually possible. For the family in Ålesund, organ donation was the right choice. Photo: Remi Sagen / news In retrospect, the family realized that they made the right choice. – It’s good to think about. Although we will never get Kevin back, and the grief will forever be there, he has contributed to the fact that there are many others who do not have to be in such a situation. 399 got a new life At the main intensive care unit at St. Olav, patients come who are badly injured or very ill. The employees fight for one thing – to save lives. – If it goes well, it means fighting for the best possible health. Sometimes things don’t go as we hope, and then we start thinking about organ donation, says Johan-Arnt Hegvik. Last year, 399 people in Norway received a new life due to organ donation. In the past, Norway was among the best countries in Europe, but now both Sweden and Finland have more donations per capita. Too random The organ donation foundation responds that it is far too random who is asked about organ donation and who is not. – In many donor hospitals, it is random whether a donation is carried out or not. There is a lack of resources and enough time for donor staff at many hospitals. Often these are “zealous souls” who almost work on a voluntary basis. This is what information manager at Stiftelsen organdonasjon, Aleksander Sekowski, writes in an e-mail to news. Donor manager Hegvik agrees. – There should be a system that sees us in the cards and that can help uncover who could be potential donors. The angel named Kevin sits on the windowsill at the family’s home. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Although Caroline and the family raised the donor question themselves, Hegvik believes that the treatment team had already thought of the idea. – Because of our feelings and knowledge, we will take one step at a time so that we know where we are. Sometimes relatives remind us, but in most cases we have already thought about it ourselves. The organ donation foundation emphasizes that St. Olav’s hospital is one of the best hospitals in the country when it comes to matters of organ donation. – I think that everyone should be asked. People who can make the choice themselves in advance should think about it. Those of us who are healthy can make a choice and let our loved ones know before it gets that far, says Caroline Sivertstøl Stolsmo. Both Hegvik and Stolsmo agree that it is wise to talk to their loved ones about organ donation before it is too late. Photo: Remi Sagen / news
ttn-69
Kevin (12) saved six other lives when he died – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
