Gabrielle Elizabeth Marsh, known as Gabby, died suddenly and her family donated her organs to at least six people on her 20th birthday. Photograph supplied by the Marsh family
Gabrielle Elizabeth Marsh, known as Gabby, died suddenly and her family donated her organs to at least six people on her 20th birthday. Photograph supplied by the Marsh family
Gabrielle Elizabeth Marsh was celebrating her upcoming 20th birthday with her best friends at her Avondale home on March 4 when she developed a headache.
Her mother Kathryn called 111 when the teen's condition deteriorated, leaving her in agony with slurred speech.
Her family decided to withdraw life support, but not before Gabby's organs were donated.
On Monday, March 6, they gathered at her hospital bedside, wished her a happy 20th birthday and said their goodbyes as she was taken to theatre to have her lungs, kidney, liver and heart valves removed for donation.
Her vital organs were transplanted into at least six people, ultimately saving their lives.
Gabby is survived by her mother Kathryn, brother Jacob, 18, and sister Victoria, 16.
Jacob, Gabby, Victoria and Kathryn Marsh just a week before the tragedy at a family birthday celebration. Photograph supplied by the Marsh family
Her father Shayne died 17 months ago after a long illness.
Gabby's 20th birthday should also have been the first day of her third year at Auckland University, where she was studying towards two degrees in commerce and law and had already been recruited for a prestigious internship next year at auditing and tax firm Deloitte.
Gabby, described by her family as "an academic rock star" was also on the executive board of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), an international honours organisation for accounting, finance and information systems students and professionals.
And her family found out on the night of Gabby's funeral that she had been accepted into the university's Women's Mentoring Programme, which matches female students with mentors from the Business School's network of businesswomen.
In memory of Gabby's life and achievements, her friends set up a scholarship fund in her name, which is fully supported by the Marsh family.
"The scholarship is to honour her academic ability, her exceptional character and her future cut tragically short," the friends said on a Givealittle page set up to help with fundraising.
"The Gabby Marsh Scholarship will be established and offered annually to enable a young school leaver demonstrating exceptional character and service to fulfil their dream of studying commerce at the University of Auckland.
"You don't often meet someone who touches your life the way Gabby did, and I want to see her live on and help others in death as much as she did in life."
As of this morning more than $31,600 had been donated by 340 people.
Gabby Marsh with sister Victoria. Photograph supplied by the Marsh family
Among the donors is a man whose wife died in similar circumstances.
He said like Gabby's, his wife's organs were donated.
"I realise that this is a very painful time for the family, but I think that the organ donation is a wonderful thing that will transform the lives of the recipients," he wrote.
"It is a fitting tribute to Ms Marsh, who, based on the accounts I've read, was a wonderful person.
"I very am happy to donate to the Gabby Marsh scholarship. This scholarship will provide another mechanism whereby this wonderful human being will be remembered."
"My mother-in-law is alive today thanks to a liver transplant.
"I have also opted to become a donor since I witnessed this miracle of life - and it truly is a miracle."
To donate to the Gabby Marsh Scholarship fund click here.
Gabrielle Marsh (C) died suddenly just hours after this photograph was taken at her Avondale home. Photograph supplied by the Marsh family
Organ donation - the facts
In New Zealand, more than 550 people are waiting for an organ or tissue transplant.
There is no age limit for becoming an organ or tissue donor.
There is no official donor register in New Zealand. You can indicate your wish to be an organ donor when you apply for a driver's licence or when you renew your licence. If you would like to donate your organs and tissues following your death, the word "donor" will be printed on your licence.
When you indicate your wish to donate organs on your driving licence, the organs and tissues are not specified. It's important your family understands your wishes regarding donation and also which organs and tissue you would be willing to donate.
Organs and tissues that can be donated - depending on your age and medical history - are heart or heart valves, lungs, liver, kidney, pancreas, eyes and skin (in the Auckland and Waikato regions only).
The transplant units consider a number of factors when deciding who will receive an organ. These factors can include blood group, tissue type, height and weight compatibility, medical urgency and time on the waiting list.
Organs are only removed from a donor if suitable recipients are on the waiting list.
Number of deceased organ donors in New Zealand: 2016: 61 2015: 53 2014: 46 2013: 36 2012: 28
Causes of organ donor death 2011-2015 Intracranial haemorrhage/thrombosis: 105 Trauma (road): 23 Trauma (non-road): 30 Hypoxia/anoxia (loss of oxygen to the brain): 44 Other: 9
To find out more about organ donation in New Zealand - click here
