A 19-YEAR-OLD who died after suffering an epileptic fit has been honoured posthumously for becoming a life saving organ donor.

Michael Lewis Rajnis, from Golborne, became an organ donor after an epileptic fit left him unconscious and caused his death in 2018.

The bar attendant at Wetherspoon’s and had ambitions to go on to university to study Graphic Design.

However, Michael had suffered from black outs and fits since 2017, and after visiting his GP and undergoing a number of tests he was advised that he had Epilepsy.

Michael was found unconscious in his bedroom and although the paramedics tried to resuscitate him he had slipped into a coma.

He was taken to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary where he was given a brain scan and blood tests, put on a ventilator and as his condition was critical, the medical team advised that he had suffered severe brain damage.

He then died, but went on to help others by becoming an organ donor.

In honour of this gift, his elder sister Katy Rajnis was given the Order of St John Award in his name at a special awards ceremony in Manchester.

The award, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant, is given to families and loved ones on behalf of someone who became an organ donor after their death.

Katy Rajnis, 25, said: “Two weeks before his injuries, he had put his name down on the organ donor register. It was just the kind of person he was.

“It provides us all with a great deal of hope, knowing that someone else is living because of Michael. He was such a good person.

“I would describe him as someone that would do anything for anyone. He was beautiful inside and out.

"If someone out there can benefit from a better quality of life from my brother’s organs, then I think that is an amazing thing.

"I was so proud to receive his award.”

Tony Shepherd, Head of County Priory Group Affairs for the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John, added: “We’re delighted to be able to work with NHS Blood and Transplant to run the Organ Donor Awards for a seventh year and to meet the inspirational families attending the ceremonies.

"Organ donation can clearly save lives and it is a genuine privilege to be able to say thank you to these families, whose loved ones have already donated their organs to save other people’s lives.

“People are still dying every day because some families are not talking about donation. We hope the example set by the organ donors whose lives we are honouring in Manchester encourages many others to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

"It only takes two minutes to join the millions of other people who want to save lives.”

For more information on organ donation go to organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 1232323.