This coming Wednesday, our very own Susan Burton will be appearing on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio Sussex and Radio 5 Live following the launch event of the book that shares her incredible story.
Written by the journalist Cole Moreton, The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away tells the powerful story of Susan’s son, Martin, who tragically lost his life in 2003 aged 16 from a sudden brain haemorrhage.
Devastated but eager for something good to come from the tragedy, Susan made the courageous decision to donate his organs. Meanwhile, 230 miles away in a hospital bed, 15-year-old Marc McCay was fighting for his life awaiting a heart transplant. In a race against time, Martin’s heart was flown from East Midlands to Newcastle Airport & then transported by ambulance to the hospital so the transplant could take place.
After years of communication, Susan was able to meet Marc and his family in 2014. This deeply moving meeting was captured by Cole Moreton, who
Transformed their amazing story into a radio programme, which aired on Radio 4 last year over 4 days. The programme won “pick of the week” and then won Gold at the Audio and Radio Industry Awards 2016 in October.
As a finalist in ITV’s Woman of the Year awards in 2015 and a Trustee of the Donor Family Network, Susan has not only contributed in saving lives, but also supporting those who have also lost loved ones who have had their organs donated.
We at Bird & Co are proud to have such a strong and inspiring individual working in our team and could not recommend this book more: not only to friends and colleagues of Susan, but to anyone seeking reassurance that there can always be light from darkness.
The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away was released yesterday, published by Harper Collins. The launch event will take place at Waterstones, Trafalgar Square with the author on Tuesday 11th April. There will also be a launch event taking place on the 21st of April in Lochwinnoch in Scotland, where Marc’s family resides.