Paul Hirst died a year ago. He was a tremendously important friend for me: personally, politically and intellectually. For good reasons he didn't use the word comrade. But he lived the virtuous aspects of it and fought and scorned the bullying, closed and oppressive aspects of the Stalinist tradition which exploited the term.
When he died I wrote about what happened in the hospital and how his body parts, starting with his heart, had been donated by Penny, his wife and Jamie, his son. I then explored three of the ways he had assisted the experiment of openDemocracy. I concluded: Paul Hirst's intellect and spirit engaged, committed and generous helped openDemocracy discover its form and realise the quality and range of discussion we want to publish. In him we found, and have now lost, one of our founding intellects. May its heart beat on.
Read Anthony Barnett's The challenge of Paul Hirst (June 2003) along with other tributes from Jonathan Zeitlin, Mark Cousins, and openDemocracy readers
Later, Penny and Jamie received letters from the Regional Donor Transplant Coordinator describing what had happened after Pauls death. On this anniversary I want to share the medical achievement with all those who read and knew him.
To Paul Hirst's family, from the Regional Donor Transplant Coordinator: two letters
(please note: all names are omitted and ages changed to ensure anonymity).
June 2003
Dear Penny & Jamie,
As I sit down to write this letter I am very much aware of how inadequate words are to you at this sad time. Even though I met you for such a short time I would again like to say how sorry I am that Paul has died. I can only imagine the immense void he has left, as he was pivotal in all your lives. As promised I now have some information regarding the outcome of Paul's donation.
A man in his sixties was the recipient of Paul's heart, his condition had been deteriorating over the previous months prior to this transplant and he has made an excellent recovery, now managing independently. It is hoped he will be able to continue his convalescence at home with his wife and family in the near future.
A man in his fifties received the first of Paul's kidneys. His renal failure developed as a result of having small kidneys and he had to commence a type of dialysis treatment which is very onerous for him and his family. As yet his new kidney has not returned to normal function. The second of Paul's kidneys was transplanted into a woman in her fifties; she is supported in her recovery by her grown up children. Her kidney disease is the result of high blood pressure. Similarly her new kidney is not yet working, this is not uncommon and is referred to as sleeping kidneys and it is hoped that over a period of weeks that they will resume normal function.
The recipient of Paul's liver was a man in his fifties, whose liver failure was the result of a condition which he had suffered with for many years. He has surprised those looking after him when he was ready for discharge him nine days after his transplant. He, his wife and daughter are also delighted and it is hoped that he will manage to return to work at some point.
You also allowed Paul's eyes to be donated and as a result two people have had their sight restored – a man in his early twenties and another in his fifties. I can only imagine what it must be to lose one's sight, but to have it restored due to someone's generosity must seem like a miracle.
As we discussed, Paul's pancreas has been included in the research programme developing a cure for diabetes. This will help so many people in the near future. Similarly a great number of patients will benefit from Paul's donation of skin and bone. This will greatly help the quality of their lives with the type of specialist surgery and treatment that they will now be able to receive.
Penny and Jamie, if you have any question or would like further information, now or at any time in the future please do not hesitate to get in touch. I will write to you again in approximately six months. I hope that life treats you both gently in the coming weeks and months.
My thoughts remain with you, with kindest regards,
Regional Donor Transplant Coordinator
February 2004
Dear Penny & Jamie,
It was lovely to receive your letter, I was glad you felt able to contact me. From the short time that I spent with you I have no doubt how pivotal Paul was in your lives. I do so hope the pain is superseded with the wonderful memories you have of him as time goes on, it is still very early days.
What was truly amazing was that today when I received your letter I also received two letters for you; one from the recipient of Paul's heart and one from the lady who received one of Paul's kidneys. I have left them sealed in envelopes for you to read at a time that is right for you both. They are lovely letters where both of them send their thanks and want to share with you the new lives that you gave them. If you wish to respond I can pass any mail on for you, but do not feel obliged to do so.
The gentleman who received the liver transplant continues to do well, and now only requires to attend the hospital for routine followup.
The news of the gentleman who received Paul's other kidney is good. His new kidney is working well and he is now able to enjoy family life with his two children. He is cherishing doing all the things that he was unable to do whilst on dialysis.
The pancreas research we spoke about has been completed and now, when the specialists receive any donations, they are able to offer the new treatment of islet cell transfusion rather than major transplant surgery.
Penny and Jamie, I hope you are able to take all this wonderful news and add it to your memories of Paul. You have made such a difference to so many people's lives. I do hope it helps you on your difficult days, I can only imagine that they all think of you and Paul.
If I receive any new information I will of course write to you. I will be directed by you as to when you want or need some uptodate information on the recipients, so please do not hesitate to get in touch at any time in the future.
You remain very much in my thoughts, with kindest regards,
Regional Donor Transplant Coordinator
