Any one of us can be struck down by an illness which can cause organ failure.

Without us even knowing, we could have been born with a congenital organ disorder.

Heart disease can strike at any age and without any warning.

It’s one of the British Isles’ biggest killers.

Organ donations are only able to be carried out because of selfless people opting for their organs to be used after their death and their loved ones supporting their decision.

Without their consent, their organs cannot be used, even if someone has registered on the organ donation registry.

It is a sad fact that there are countless deaths where organs could have potentially been used.

Steven Green was a healthy 24-year-old from Onchan without a care in the world.

One day, unexpectedly, he had a brain haemorrhage. He was technically dead. His family together decided to have his organs donated to save other people’s lives as they believed that this is what he would have wanted. Through these donations he has saved four people’s lives.

Nickie Leslie, a 47-year-old from Douglas, had a fulfilling job and enjoyed travelling.

But then a virus attacked her heart and at the beginning of March last year she was given just two months to live if she didn’t get a heart transplant. She was flown off-island and hospitalised in Manchester.

On March 7 last year she got a transplant. It saved her life. On the flip side of this she learned that a 47-year-old man had been killed in the UK. It was a double edged sword.

She now appreciates and lives life to the full in honour of the person who died and she is doing remarkably well.

Jill Pugh, is a typical 53-year-old who lives in Santon.

After countless visits to her doctors, by pure chance, she was eventually diagnosed at the age of 50 with a heart that was the wrong way round (known as CCTGA) and she would need a transplant as her condition deteriorates.

Jill raises awareness and formed a group in the island to volunteer for the British Heart Foundation to raise vital funds for heart research.

This research isn’t exclusive to the Isle of Man as everyone in the island can benefit as all major heart surgery is done in the UK and a lot of innovative procedures and techniques have been funded by the BHF. You can find out more on its website at www.bhf.org

Organ donation is a very personal choice. However, ask yourself this. If you or a member of your family needed a transplant, would you take it if one became available?

If the answer is yes, then do an amazing thing. Sign on the organ donor registry today, www.organdonation.nhs.uk