Video: The Nicholas effect: the tragic story of posthumous donation that changed the world
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Nicholas Greene is a seven-year-old American boy who died under mysterious circumstances during a family trip to Italy in 1994. His parents, shocked by what had happened, showed an example of courage and humanism, true love for people: they made a difficult decision - to make their son a donor for five people who needed organ transplants, as well as for two - who needed an eye corneal transplant. This act shocked the Italians, and in the very first year after the tragedy, the number of volunteers ready to become donors after death …
The story that the Green family got into while traveling in Italy shocked the whole country. Parents with two children went on an exciting trip, enjoyed life, and did not even think that something bad could happen. However, on one of the night crossings, the head of the family, Reg Green, noticed something was wrong: an unknown car was chasing them along the highway. When he tried to pull away, the car following them also picked up speed. Two shots rang out, the first time they shot through the back seat, the second - the front windshield. Reg stopped in horror, the attacker's car disappeared. At first, Reg and his wife Maggie did not realize what had happened. They were confident that their children were sleeping peacefully in the back seat. And then they saw that their son Nicholas was not in order, he did not move, although his sister Eleanor woke up. The parents examined their son, he was wounded in the head, which left almost no chance of salvation, but they nevertheless rushed to the nearest hospital.
Nicholas was in treatment for several days. He was in a coma, the doctors did not make rosy predictions. During these days, Reg and Maggie thought about a lot, and when it was announced that Nicholas had died without regaining consciousness, they agreed to have his internal organs transplanted to patients who are also on the brink of life and death.
Five patients received Nicholas' organs - heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas. Then the Green couple did not think about who these people were, they simply found consolation in the fact that, having experienced a grievous loss, they were able to save several human lives and give joy to them and their loved ones.
Fate decreed that over time, Reg and Maggie met with the operated patients. This acquaintance confirmed that they did everything right. Over the years, it is known that the boy who received Nicholas' heart transplanted lived until 2017, the woman who needed a pancreas transplant also died just a few years ago. All other participants in this incredible story are still alive. Interestingly, the woman who received the boy's liver transplanted completely recovered and even two years later was able to give birth to a son, giving him the name of her savior.
Reg and Maggie themselves found the strength to continue a full life: they had twins, and they not only raised three children, but also devoted their lives to popularizing the ideas of transplantation. They travel the world with open lectures and seminars, telling and showing by their own example how many lives can be saved by making the right decision. Mass donation, following the example of the Green family, is called the "Nicholas effect" all over the world.
In honor of Nicholas and all the children whose lives were tragically cut short, the Green family created The Children’s Bell Tower memorial. It includes 140 bells, each of which was sent by Italian families who lost their babies. The central bell for the Green family was made by craftsmen from the Marinelli family. Members of this family have worked to create bells for the papal throne for a millennium. This time, they engraved the names of all seven saved people on the bell, and also received a blessing from Pope John Paul II.
The case of the murder of Nicholas Green has been under investigation for a long time, but the exact motives of the attackers have not been established. The family is believed to have been assaulted with the intent of robbery. Two suspects in the case were arrested that night, but the court never found them guilty. Judging by which lawyers the attackers turned to for help, it can be assumed that they were associated with the Italian mafia and therefore were able to escape punishment.
Another resonant case of posthumous donation is also known: mother gave birth to a doomed daughter to donate her healthy organs.
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