Hopeful ... Gerard is desperate for a lung transplant so he can enjoy life again
CARING Marie Hepden was reeling after her son's death... when medics approached to ask if they could use his organs for transplants.
But despite her pain the retired nurse didn't hesitate for a second.
In 1994 her husband Pete had received a new kidney after spending four years on dialysis.
And Marie, from Dundee, knew her tragic lad Nathan, 20, wanted his body to be used to help others.
The 61-year-old revealed: "It's impossible to describe how shocked and devastated we were.
"It was such a heartbreaking decision, but with Pete having a transplant, we felt it was our turn now to give something back.
"Because of our family decision to become organ donors - and knowing Nathan's wishes - I agreed to having his organs used to save others.
"When someone dies, their organs are of no further use to them. But it's very hard to make that sort of decision when your son has just passed away."
Nathan tragically died two years ago from a brain haemorrhage - the same condition which killed his 53-year-old father in 2001.
But engineer Pete had lived a full life for seven years after receiving his new kidney.
Marie added: "When Pete was on dialysis, at a time when you're needed at home more than ever before, you then face huge money worries.
"No one warns you your whole family will be struggling to survive.
"Pete couldn't work but there was still a mortgage to pay and the bills were still coming in. It was a really bad time for our family.
"But when Pete got his transplant it transformed all our lives.
"We had the old Pete back. He was fit and energetic. He went back to work and we enjoyed a decent quality of life again. Because we knew what a fantastic difference his transplant had meant we made a family decision to become donors."
Marie reckons giving her consent salvaged a glimmer of hope from his sudden death- for others.
And a few months later, letters of deep thanks and gratitude began to filter through to the transplant unit at Edinburgh's Western Infirmary.
Marie said: "Nathan had saved six lives. His heart, kidneys and pancreas had all been donated, and his liver had been cut in half for two patients.
"I did feel strange reading the letters. Everyone copes with their grief in their own way.
"But knowing that your loved ones want to donate organs helps enormously - it takes away the stress of not knowing what to do.
"Our family received, but we also paid it back, and that's very important to us."
GERARD FALSEY is a registered transplant donor.
He'll sacrifice his eyes, heart, kidneys - anything that might help someone else live after his death.
But he won't donate his lungs... HE needs help with that one.
Gerard, 28, is in desperate need of a transplant.
He's now ten months into an average 12-month wait and every day he gets weaker and weaker.
Gerard, of Hamilton, said: "I was born with a lung condition called MacLeod's Syndrome which is so rare I was one of only two babies in the West of Scotland with this.
"I was four weeks premature and my lungs were underdeveloped.
"One lung was functioning better than the other, but neither fully recovered.
"At ten-months-old I had pneumonia, and from then on I caught every infection that was around.
"I was hospitalised and tested for cystic fibrosis, but doctors finally diagnosed MacLeod's Syndrome when I was five."
With careful monitoring and medication, Gerard was able to enjoy a reasonably active childhood.
He said: "I played football and ran about with my pals, but I always knew my limits. I'd get breathless and have to take it easy.
"And, of course, whenever I caught a cold or a chest infection, it floored me. I didn't bounce back like normal kids.
"When I left school I went to work for a debt collecting agency, and my life was pretty good."
But three years ago, on holiday in Orange County, California, Gerard's health began to deteriorate.
He said: "When I came home I went straight to my GP who sent me to Hairmyres Hospital for tests.
"Doctors began treating me for infections but by Christmas 2006, I wasn't well at all.
"I was asthmatic and referred to Glasgow's Royal Infirmary where I was advised that I was looking at a possible lung transplant."
He was sent to Freeman's Hospital in Newcastle for assessment and tests to decide his suitability.
He said: "In May last year, I was put on the waiting list for a single lung. I'm on the transplant donor list and I've made it clear that docs can take anything they need from me after my death, if it will help someone else.
"It's ironic that it's now me who's waiting for someone else's organs.
"Docs have told me the average wait for a lung transplant is a year. I'm now ten months into my year and every waking moment is geared to getting that phone call telling me a lung is available.
"My life is on hold."
Gerard is no longer able to work and finds everyday tasks exhausting. He said: "It takes me ages to get showered and dressed in the morning.
"There's a chair in the shower because the small effort involved in having a shower exhausts me.
"I have to rest, then dress myself, then have another rest.
"I long for the day when I'm out playing five-a-side with my mates."
Mum Marie, 56, and his dad Jim, 57, are poised to drop everything when Gerard's life-saving call comes through.
Their bags are packed and ready to grab at the last minute.
Last month, Gerard thought his wait was over, but it was a false alarm. Marie said: "We live quite near and one morning at 2.30am Gerard phoned us to say an ambulance was on its way to take him to Freeman's Hospital in Newcastle, for a transplant.
"Jim and I were at Gerard's house within seven minutes."
Gerard added: "The ambulance was here at 3am to drive me to Freeman's and the roads were quiet and it was straight-forward.
"The doctors were waiting for me, and I was whisked in for blood tests and checks before being prepared for surgery."
Then came the news that the new lung wasn't functioning properly and was unsuitable for transplant.
Gerard admits: "I was heartbroken. I felt I'd come so close and all for nothing."
"But this is almost par for the course. There's no way of knowing whether a possible transplant will definitely go-ahead.
"If you have a cold, or an infection, you are 'suspended' from the waiting list until your symptoms clear, and because my immunity is so low, I am constantly at risk.
"In October I had swine flu, so again I was 'suspended' from the waiting list until I was given the all-clear." Despite his ill-health, Gerard remains optimistic.
He said: "I try not to let things get me down.
"I can't go to football matches anymore, so my pals often come to my house and we watch it on telly.
"I miss life. I miss doing normal things like going to the pub or going out for a walk.
"I have to watch my weight, but right now I'm underweight so I get essential nutrients through a tube, because I can't eat big meals.
"I've just celebrated my 28th birthday in hospital because of infections.
"But hopefully one day soon, that phone call will come, and it'll be my turn to live again.
"I've got my whole life ahead and I don't want to waste a minute."
To find out more about how to register go to:infoscotland.com/organdonor or text LIFE to 61611
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