The legacy of Laurie Hogan – a story of giving and hope
A very personal story has inspired staff from the endoscopy unit at Whiteabbey Hospital to raise funds for the Revive ICU Fund.
Linda Hogan and her colleagues recently donated £2400 to the charity, which supports the work of the regional intensive care unit in Belfast.
On June 13 2020, Linda and her husband Steve faced the unimaginable when their beloved son Laurie, a bright, fit and healthy young man with a world of opportunity ahead of him, passed away suddenly due to a brain haemorrhage.
In the midst of their loss, they made the selfless decision to donate Laurie’s organs with his heart, liver and kidneys used to save the lives of four men. Five years on, this legacy of selfless giving continues, thanks to Linda and her Team North family.
They raised funds by organising Easter hamper raffles and generous donations, with an outpouring of kindness demonstrating support for Linda and Steve while carrying on Laurie’s story of giving and hope.
Linda said: “Losing Laurie will never get any easier for us, but we know his legacy lives on, not only in memory, but in the lives he has helped to restore.
“He had been offered a place to begin PhD research at Queen’s University in Belfast, with hopes of one day working for NASA. His future was full of promise, and we want to honour his life and ensure that he continues to make a difference.
“Working as a nurse alongside intensive care colleagues during the pandemic really deepened my understanding of the importance of organ donation. When our family was going through such a huge personal loss, it sparked a powerful drive to help others. By donating to Revive, and supporting its work for patients and their loved ones, we are continuing to do this.”
Through their donation, the endoscopy team hopes to support other families who may face the same painful journey, while remembering Laurie’s life, his promise and his everlasting story of generosity and love.
Thanks to those who knew and cared for him, that story continues.
13th June 2025
