Why Josh is Putting Heart and Soul in Studies and Opt-Out Campaign

While most of us have dipped our toes back into normality - breathing a small sigh of relief as vaccinations ramp up and restrictions slowly lift - spare a thought for Josh McGoldrick (18), from Gilford, who is still shielding.

However, the brave young man, a Level 3 Creative Media Production and Technology student at SERC, doesn’t want sympathy and certainly isn’t feeling sorry for himself.   Instead, he oozes positivity and would much prefer we all make a bit of noise about the opt-out organ donation campaign.  

To say the campaign is close to his heart is the mother of all understatements.  At the age of 15, back in May 2018, Josh fell seriously ill as the result of an unknown airborne virus. He was flown by Woodgate Air Ambulance from Belfast International Airport to Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester where he was put into a medical induced coma.   Josh was awoken and received a life-saving heart transplant in July 2018, just before his 16th birthday. 

He said, “I returned home to family life with my mum and dad, and my sister Mya (now 11), in September 2018 and went back to school at Brownlow Integrated College to complete my GCSEs. It was a bit tough whilst doing my GCSEs I had hospital visits every two weeks, then monthly for heart biopsies and then it was getting used to all the medication – I take 15 tablets a day, at the minute, to prevent my heart from being rejected by my body. But despite all the disruption, I achieved 5 GCSEs, enough to do the course I wanted, but I was keen to improve my Maths and ICT grades so I enrolled on a Level 2 ICT course at SRC before progressing to the Level 3 Creative Media Production and Technology Course at SERC and, surprisingly, the past year has been the best because of my studies.   Both my parents, Donna and Paul, studied at SERC so going there was highly recommended and they are delighted I am doing something I enjoy so much."

He added, “Even though I have been shielding - as the recipient of a heart transplant I am extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 - I have really enjoyed completing my course at home.   It has given me something to stay focussed on, and I have been supported throughout the year by my amazing tutors, Tim Black, Nik Thomas, David Hutchinson and Liane Radcliffe."

“They went above and beyond to support me studying from home. I have been able to complete all my course work, including my practical work, from home, meeting deadlines, even whilst attending my medical appointment in Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester. If you have a real passion and interest in the Creative Media industry like me, you will really enjoy studying this course at SERC. You will learn so much.  I have picked up so much knowledge and practical skills needed for the industry and once I complete the course, I plan to continue into higher education and am looking into following the HNC route."

“Studying at home isn’t quite the same as being on campus and perhaps I haven’t got involved in other extra-curricular activities at SERC this year, but I have made friends through the course and, like everyone else, have been keeping in touch online."

He continued, “In my spare time I support my charity, New Start - The Wythenshawe Hospital Transplant Fund Manchester as they saved my life there – I raised £5000 for them on my first Heart Birthday in July 2019. I also support Organ Donation and raising awareness of the importance of the Opt-Out legislation, especially here in Northern Ireland, basically it means that everyone donates their organs unless they opt-out, it means that people, just like me, have a better chance of getting a viable organ as soon as that it possible.   It also means that families know the wishes of their loved ones who have passed away, often in traumatic and unexpected circumstances, and are not left having to make decisions about organ donation when they are full of grief.   The decision has been made and hopefully, if everyone talks about their wishes with their family and friends, people know exactly the right thing to do."

“I am delighted that the long-awaited laws on opt-out organ donation, proposed by Robyn Swann, Minister of Health, have been given approval to proceed by way of urgent procedure to the NI Assembly.   I like to think that I have made some noise on the issue and that my letters to MLA’s helped a little bit.”

If you would like support Josh and make a donation  to New Start Charity visit https://www.newstartcharity.org/donate-3

Caption: Josh McGoldrick (18), from Gilford, a Level 3 Creative Media Production and Technology student at SERC who had a life-saving heat transplant in July 2018. Josh, who is still shielding, is delighted that the long-awaited laws on opt-out organ donation, proposed by Robyn Swann, Minister of Health, have been given approval to proceed by way of urgent procedure to the NI Assembly. Pictured is Josh with Dr Paul Callan, Consultant Cardiologist, Josh with Geralita Ridings, Transplant Nurse and Ruth Sutcliffe, Cardiothoracic Transplant Co-ordinator, and Josh with Lisa Barker, Duty Manager CTCCU, Laura Rourke, Claire Nemo, Ciara Kelly CTCCU Nurses Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.