Celebrating Life and Gratitude: RIE Transplant Unit Marks Organ and Tissue Donation Week

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh’s Transplant Unit is marking Organ and Tissue Donation Week with two powerful expressions of gratitude and hope: the unveiling of a new artwork, “Grateful,” and the inspiring fundraising efforts of the Transplant Trekkers – a dedicated group of patients, families and staff, brought together by their shared experiences of transplant care.

Together, they celebrate the life-changing work of the transplant unit, the generosity of donors and families, and the strength of the community that surrounds transplant care. At the heart of both initiatives is Senior Charge Nurse, Sam Slight, whose compassion helped inspire the artwork and who proudly joined the Trekkers in their mission to raise awareness and support, and show what’s possible after transplant.

Art and Stories Transform the Transplant Unit

Installed at the entrance to the transplant ward, new artwork now greets patients, families and staff with warmth and welcome, each panel glowing softly with the words of those whose lives have been touched by transplant care.

‘Grateful’ features heartfelt reflections from both patients and staff, capturing the life-changing impact of transplant and the deep gratitude felt within the unit. Created by artist Rebecca Milling and commissioned by NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts programme, the artwork consists of two panels designed as colour inverses – blue representing the voices of NHS staff, and yellow representing those of the patients they care for.

Rebecca Milling explains:

I created coloured slides from lighting gels, projected through a lens onto a white surface. From a distance, the written words become an inner glow to the artwork, whilst at closer inspection the thoughts and reflections of individuals become clear.”

Sam Slight, who gathered the reflections that inspired the piece, said:

We wanted to show how proud and grateful we are for what happens on this ward. The artwork reflects the special place this is – where lives are transformed by transplants.”

Walking Together: The Transplant Trekkers

That same spirit of gratitude was on full display as the Transplant Trekkers – a 30-strong team of staff, patients, families, and volunteers – took on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on Sunday 14 September 2025. Together, they raised over £10,000 for NHS Lothian Charity to enhance patient comfort and care in the transplant unit and support volunteer services.

For many, the walk was a celebration of second chances. Former patient and volunteer, Moray Law, shared:

I had a liver transplant seven years ago. The care I received was life-changing, and being able to give back and walk alongside staff and fellow patients was a privilege.”

John Mortimer, another patient and volunteer, added:

I was over the moon to finish, especially after a major operation. I love the staff – they were amazing to me. I’d do anything for them.”

Sam Slight also reflected on the experience:

It’s about giving these guys the opportunity to do this. I’m always grateful to be part of their journey because they’ll say they’re grateful for us, but it’s a two sided way that I see it well imagine being part of that journey you know I looked after Moray on the ward when he was a patient and now he is volunteering on the ward and I think just watching them [the patients] across the line, I was really proud that they’d managed to do that.”

A Lasting Impact

The money raised by the Transplant Trekkers will help us continue to be there for patients and families when they need it most, providing additional patient comforts, practical support, and welcoming environments that make being in hospital more comfortable. Meanwhile, the Grateful artwork stands as a lasting tribute to the power of organ donation, the dedication of NHS staff, and the resilience of patients and families.

As one patient’s words remind us:

My donor has afforded me my yesterday, my today, and my tomorrows. Boundless gratitude for a family I’ll never know—to a mother and father who made the person who saved my life.”