‘Gift of life’: SA Police Commissioner shares letter from organ donor recipient his son helped save
An organ donor recipient says he has been given the “gift of life” in a touching letter to SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his wife following the son’s death.
Charlie Stevens was killed when he was struck by a car while at Schoolies celebrations in Goolwa, south of Adelaide, in November last year.
The 18-year-old was taken to Flinders Medical Centre after suffering an irreversible brain injury and his organs were later donated to seven Australians in need.
Camera IconCharlie Stevens was struck by a car and killed on November 17 during schoolies celebrations. Supplied Credit: Supplied
More than eight months after their son’s death, Mr Stevens and his wife Emma shared a small paragraph from one of the three letters they have received from the donor recipients.
“In many ways, I’ve been given the gift of life again, the opportunity to look at the future and see my kids go through school, reach milestones and maybe even get married,” the letter said.
“This is what your family has given me.”
Speaking on Sunrise, Mr Stevens said while the letters were difficult to read, he and his family found comfort knowing the impact Charlie has had on the lives of others.
“We never thought when Charlie did tick that box that we’d be in a situation where our family would be asked to confirm his decision,” he said.
“It made it so much easier knowing that’s what Charlie wanted.”
Camera IconCommissioner Grant Stevens and his wife Emma have shared a segment of the letter they received from organ donor recipients. NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Fighting back tears, Ms Stevens said it was easy for the family to respect the wishes of their son and ensure his organs were donated.
“Charlie, he wanted to do that, so we just thought that would keep Charlie with us for a bit longer,” she said.
With just 36 per cent of Australians being registered organ donors, Mr Stevens said he and his family wanted to see that number rise.
“The more people who sign up, the better off we will all be,” he said.
‘There are 1800 people waiting for a lifesaving donation. The more people who make that decision early in the piece, the more people who are likely to get that gift.”
Dhirren Rhandhawa was behind the wheel when Charlie was killed. In June, he pleaded guilty to one aggravated count of driving without due care and leaving the scene of a crash after causing death.
He will reappear in the District Court in August for sentencing.
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