Fight victim's organs save lives

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A man killed by a single punch after intervening in a row in Lancashire helped preserve the lives of five others with his organs.

Adam Rogers, 24, died in hospital a day after he was knocked to the ground in Blackburn in July 2009.

His parents, Pat and Dave Rogers, have revealed that his liver, lungs, heart, kidneys and pancreas were all successfully transplanted.

They said it was wonderful something positive had emerged from the death.

Mr Rogers, a football coach, tried to break up a row between his killer and a group of friends after a night out in the town.

He struck his head after being knocked to the ground and died in hospital the following day.

It was a very difficult decision to make at the time, but Adam made it a lot easier for us in being very clear in what he wished to do Pat Rogers

His parents then made the decision to follow the wish he had expressed previously and allow his organs to be transplanted.

"It was a very difficult decision to make at the time, but Adam made it a lot easier for us in being very clear in what he wished to do," Mrs Rogers told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"You don't know who the individuals are but we do know that all of the transplants were successful, all of the people who received them are out of hospital and doing well."

Mr Rogers' organs were donated to people aged between six and 66, his mother said.

'Personal tragedy'

The couple have since received a letter from one man who said his life had been "transformed" by the transplant.

"It was wonderful to receive the letter," Mrs Rogers added.

"Obviously it's also very difficult but for something so positive to come out of what has been, for us, a personal tragedy is a really good thing.

"I think for five people their lives have been changed and they were all critically ill and now are all doing really well - and that can only be a wonderful thing."

Mr and Mrs Rogers are now urging others to ensure their organ donation wishes are clear in the event of their death.

A 17-year-old boy, from Rishton, was convicted of manslaughter last week and will be sentenced in March.