Redcliffe resident Alisa Hough-Ure, with her friends and family recently ran in Jetty2Jetty to honour the memory of her late husband, David Ure, and to celebrate the profound impact of organ donation.
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Alisa led a team of 30 friends and family members in the Jetty2Jetty event last week, July 21 at the Redcliffe Peninsula. Their run was more than a test of endurance; it was a tribute to Alisa’s late husband, whose organ donation saved five lives.
David was a man who stood out in every way. At 6 foot 4 inches, the banker and triathlete towered over most, but it was his generosity of spirit that truly set him apart.
When friends lost their homes in the devastating Lismore flood, “Dave,” as what family and friends call him, was there, helping them rebuild from the ruins. His commitment to helping others extended beyond his lifetime when, at the age of 56, he suddenly passed away from a brain bleed about 18 months ago.
“I know this may sound bizarre,” Alisa reflected, “but during the testing process, each time we received news that one of Dave’s organs was viable for donation, I felt a glimmer of something that wasn’t quite grief.” This sentiment captures the bittersweet nature of organ donation, where tragedy gives way to hope.
Alisa spoke with immense gratitude about the Lismore DonateLife team, praising their support during the challenging process. The medical team’s reverence was evident as they paused to acknowledge the significance of Dave’s gift before the procedure. Afterward, Donate Specialist Nurse Howard Clare’s compassionate act of escorting Dave to the morgue and sitting with him touched Alisa deeply.
“Losing David has been the most gut-wrenching, worst experience of my life,” Alisa shared, her voice tinged with both sorrow and pride. “But his choice to donate his organs has changed the way in which I have grieved for him.”
The void left by Dave’s absence remains palpable. Alisa misses their weekly date nights, his humour, and his unwavering support. Yet, amidst the pain, she finds solace in the legacy he’s created. “He has left a legacy that is gaining momentum every day since he has passed,” she said, her words a testament to the ripple effect of organ donation.
For Alisa, Dave’s decision to be an organ donor has provided “love, comfort, and a sense of pride that he has saved lives and made an impact in ways I will never really know.” She believes that if Dave could see the profound effect of his actions on family, friends, and strangers alike, he would be humbled by the outpouring of support and admiration.
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The group’s participation in the Jetty2Jetty was more than a memorial; it was a call to action. By promoting organ donation through their run, they aimed to inspire others to follow in Dave’s footsteps, potentially saving countless lives in the process.
Published 25-July-2024