Memorial bench remembers organ donation advocate
Brandon’s mother, Anna Fletcher-Just with Queensland Lung Transplant Program Clinical Nurse Consultant Lesleigh Winks and Clinical Director Professor Peter Hopkins.
It’s a place to sit. To reflect. A place to relax and let your thoughts drift or to reminisce. It’s also a place, for those who knew him, to feel close to Brandon Fletcher-Just.
A memorial bench at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) is a now a permanent reminder of a young man who sadly passed away in 2019 when he was just 18 years of age.
The bench was built by the Renegade Men’s Shed on Macleay Island, where both Brandon and his grandfather Bill were members.
On what would have been Brandon’s 25th birthday recently, his family, friends and many of the clinicians from his treating team gathered to celebrate his life and the memorial bench donation.
His mother Anna said Brandon faced battles no one should have to. He contracted Influenza that led to Sepsis.
“He fell seriously ill and required a double lung transplant,” Anna said.
“With only days left, a miracle. The gift of life through organ donation. A gift that gave us Brandon and his family more time. A gift that gave him a second chance to keep giving.”
Brandon Fletcher-Just worked with Donate Life Queensland to raise awareness of organ donation.
While navigating the complexities of his new life, Brandon poured himself into advocacy and education. He worked with DonateLife, The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation and the Cycle of Giving, using his voice and his story to inspire others to register as organ donors.
Donate Life Queensland (DLQ) Principal Communications Advisor Shelley-Lee Waller met Brandon’s family not long after his transplant.
“Brandon and his mum Anna just wanted to honour their donor and help others,” Shelley-Lee said.
“They did this by becoming one of our first of our then fledgling DLQ Champions program.
“They knew there is power in stories – power that can change and save lives… and Brandon used his superpower in every way he could.
“He spoke to school classes about his journey and his donor. He shared his story with the community on TV news and became one of our campaign faces showing up all over shopping centre billboards.
“Brandon and his family agreed to let a videographer into their home, to share his story in an educational video.
“He told people that if they had a choice to help someone by giving organs they didn’t need anymore, it would mean the world to give someone like him to ‘have a bit more time with his family and friends’.
“That’s exactly what Brandon’s donor had. Through his promotion and raising awareness of organ donation, there’s no telling how many other lives Brandon touched.
“We now have more than 350 DLQ volunteers trained – mostly recipients, including a youth advisory group made up of young recipients that support each other.
“In his time with us, Brandon left an indelible mark on those around him.”
The bench donated to The Prince Charles Hospital in memory of Brandon Fletcher-Just.
Despite ultimately losing his battle, the generosity of Brandon’s family and the memory of his work to educate people about organ donation will continue to live on at TPCH for many years to come.
It only takes one minute to register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au