Queen’s Birthday Honours recognise Donation Champions

Three tireless campaigners have been awarded Honours in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours List.

Christine Cox, whose family campaigned for and secured the establishment of the first national NHS Organ Donor Register, has been awarded an MBE for outstanding services to organ donation and the community.

Christine started her campaigning alongside her mother Rosemary, in memory of her brother, Peter, who died in 1989.

Peter, 24, had told his family about his wish to donate organs before his death from a brain tumour but the family were surprised to find there was no register for potential donors.

This led the family to take on a five-year campaign before the introduction of the nationwide register in 1994, and a lifelong mission to increase awareness of organ donation, which also paved the way for England’s move to the opt out system in May 2020.

Meanwhile, David Myers, Chair of the Royal Free Organ Donation Committee and Life President of the Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients Association, receives the British Empire Medal for services to renal patients.

A recipient of a deceased donor kidney transplant initially, a live kidney transplant 4 years ago and eight years of dialysis, David, 73, has devoted himself to raising awareness of organ donation and providing support to those living with kidney disease or in need of transplant.

Also honoured, was Henny Braund, Chief Executive of stem cell charity, Anthony Nolan. Through her leadership of the charity, Henny has both raised awareness and improved outcomes and quality of life for blood cancer patients in need of a stem cell transplant. Henny also receives an MBE.

Everyone at NHS Blood and Transplant sends our very best wishes, congratulations and thanks to all three of these champions who have dedicated so much time, effort and passion, enabling countless more lives to be saved.