Natasha Richardson’s family donate her organs
Rachael | April 1, 2009
The family of British actress, Natasha Richardson have donated her organs, after her grieving husband and mother told doctors she would have wanted to save others.
The 45-year-old Parent Trap star was buried on Sunday, in Millbrook, upstate New York, after suffering fatal head injuries during a ski accident at Mount Tremblant resort in Canada on March 16th.
Her organs were carefully removed from her body by top surgeons at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital.
The decision was made quickly by husband, Liam Neeson, and her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, shortly after she was taken off life support in the hospital in New York.
It was reported by a family friend that donating organs to patients in need “is very Natasha.”
”She spent so much time fighting the stigma of Aids; someone like that would naturally donate her organs,” the friend said.
”At least by donating her organs something good could come out of (the tragedy).”
The actress died after falling during a ski lesson on to her head, while not wearing a helmet.
After a post-mortem examination, it was confirmed that the blow to her head had caused fatal bleeding between her brain and skull.
The actress leaves her husband, Irish actor, Liam Neeson and their two sons, aged 12 and 13.
Bernadette Sexton said her brother was left devastated and inconsolable after the love of his life was taken away from him during a freak accident.
“We’re completely bewildered and wish we could turn the clock back,” she said. “I’ve spoken to Liam but I’d rather not talk about it, it’s too personal.”
Paying tribute to Natasha, Bernadette said, “We spent last Easter with her and my 17-year-old son Pascal, who has Down’s syndrome, was much loved by Natasha.
“She went to great pains to include him in everything, even an Easter egg hunt. That just sums up the type of warm and caring person that she was.
“Natasha was a wonderful friend, sister-in-law and auntie to my kids. She was a warm, generous, lovely woman.”
Natasha’s mother is struggling to come to terms with the death of her daughter, telling Loretta Brennan Glucksman, chairman of the American Ireland Fund, Natasha didn’t like skiiing. “Vanessa told me, ‘Natasha is off skiing, I don’t understand it — she doesn’t even like to ski’. Vanessa is devastated.”
Stars close to the family have paid tribute to the actress, including Patrick Swayze, who is currently battling for his online with cancer, said, ““Gifts like her don’t come along very often. It’s a rare thing to have someone with so much talent, beauty and dedication — and yet such humility.”
On March the 19th the lights of Broadway’s theatres were dimmed for a minute in Natasha’s honour.
A last final tribute that the beautiful Natasha leaves to
Elizabeth P | April 2, 2009A last final tribute that the beautiful Natasha leaves to others in need. May all of those that receive her organs have an angel on their shoulder. She was a beautiful angel, and still is one, just gone too soon. She is looking down now and smiling that magnificent smile.
My husband Michael Beckett is the 2nd cousin to Vanessa
kathleen beckett | August 28, 2009My husband Michael Beckett is the 2nd cousin to Vanessa Redgrave. His Dad was the first cousin to Michael Redgrave. It,s a shame she dies so young. K. Beckett.