AT the time of Ethan Seccull’s tragic death, it was impossible for his parents to imagine anything good could come from the situation.
But a hospital-bed decision to donate the Wallace toddler’s organs saved the lives of three others and fuelled a renewed push for organ donation Australia-wide.
Ethan, 3, died after being hit by a V/Line passenger train last October 3 after straying near the tracks behind his family’s home.
Parents Jon and Michelle Seccull have thrown themselves into promoting Ethan’s story and raising awareness for organ and tissue donation – pursuits that have helped them endure the toughest months of their lives.
They’re in favour of an opt-out system, rather than the present regime where people have to make the conscious effort to become organ donors.
They say an opt-out system would drastically lift organ and tissue donation rates.
“If you feel that strongly against it, you get off the register,” Mr Seccull said. “The question is not ‘Will I be an organ donor?’ The question is, ‘Would you accept an organ if it was going to save your life?'”
The couple are producing bumper stickers featuring Ethan’s two favourite quotations to further promote organ donation.
They also speak at functions across the country to tell Ethan’s story. Mrs Seccull said not enough people knew the importance of donating tissue, which didn’t have to be an exact blood-match to the recipient.
“Tissue can be donated up to 24 hours after death,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be blood-type, so things like corneas, skin, heart valves, bone and ligaments don’t have to be a match.”
Federal government data on organ donation shows Australia is a world leader for successful transplant outcomes yet has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world.
The Seccull family is planning further fund-raising events, including a bike ride spearheaded by a yellow BMW motorcycle – Ethan’s favourite colour.
