‘Reward 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 “present of life” in a touching letter to SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his spouse following the son’s loss of life.

Charlie Stevens was killed when he was struck by a automotive whereas at Schoolies celebrations in Goolwa, south of Adelaide, in November final yr.

The 18-year-old was taken to Flinders Medical Centre after struggling an irreversible mind damage and his organs had been later donated to seven Australians in want.

Greater than eight months after their son’s loss of life, Mr Stevens and his spouse Emma shared a small paragraph from one of many three letters they’ve acquired from the donor recipients.

“In some ways, I’ve been given the present of life once more, the chance to have a look at the longer term and see my youngsters undergo college, attain milestones and perhaps even get married,” the letter stated.

“That is what your loved ones has given me.”

Talking on Dawn, Mr Stevens stated whereas the letters had been troublesome to learn, he and his household discovered consolation understanding the influence Charlie has had on the lives of others.

“We by no means thought when Charlie did tick that field that we’d be in a scenario the place our household can be requested to verify his resolution,” he stated.

“It made it a lot simpler understanding that’s what Charlie needed.”

Preventing again tears, Ms Stevens stated it was simple for the household to respect the needs of their son and guarantee his organs had been donated.

“Charlie, he needed to try this, so we simply thought that might maintain Charlie with us for a bit longer,” she stated.

With simply 36 per cent of Australians being registered organ donors, Mr Stevens stated he and his household needed to see that quantity rise.

“The extra individuals who join, the higher off we are going to all be,” he stated.

‘There are 1800 individuals ready for a lifesaving donation. The extra individuals who make that call early within the piece, the extra people who find themselves prone to get that present.”

Dhirren Rhandhawa was behind the wheel when Charlie was killed. In June, he pleaded responsible to at least one aggravated rely of driving with out due care and leaving the scene of a crash after inflicting loss of life.

He’ll reappear within the District Court docket in August for sentencing.