SATURDAY marked the third anniversary of the death of Wallace toddler Ethan Seccull, who died after he was clipped by a train only metres from his home.
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As more than 40 family and friends gathered for a barbecue to celebrate the life of Ethan – lovingly referred to as “Jimmy” – they had one other person on their mind ... the driver of the Ballarat-bound train which struck the tiny three-year-old.
“We truly feel for the train driver,” said Ethan’s father Jon. “The driver went to work that day not knowing his life would be changed forever. We must acknowledge someone else is hurting because of this tragedy.”
While Ethan’s life was tragically cut short, his legacy will live on. Not only did he become an organ donor – saving three lives in the process – but he has become the face of a nationwide campaign to encourage families to have the conversation about becoming an organ donor.
Ethan was clipped by the train on October 3, 2011, and was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. After being told by medical experts their son would not survive, Jon and Michelle Seccull decided Ethan would become an organ donor.
Last year Ethan’s parents began a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of families talking about organ and tissue donation. The campaign includes posters and bumper stickers for the DonateLife organisation. The Ethan “Jimmy” Seccull Foundation Facebook page also spreads the word.
Mr Seccull was recognised last November for his tireless efforts by receiving a coveted national award, the Gift of Life’s Terry Connolly Award for Community Awareness Raising.
And the honours continued this year, with a trophy at the 2014 Transplant Games in Melbourne last weekend being named after Ethan.
Mr Seccull presented the inaugural “Yeah Me Do” (an oft-spoken quote from Ethan) trophy to bone marrow recipient Connor Hale, who won the three-kilometre junior boys’ run.
The Games, hosted by media personality and transplant recipient Derryn Hinch, were held at the Victorian Institute of Sports in Melbourne and attracted hundreds of competitors from around Australia, the UK and New Zealand.
Reflecting on the three years since Ethan’s death, Mr Seccull said emotions were still raw.
“It’s a bizarre feeling (that) even three years on it’s still raw and emotional. I think it was because of the way Ethan passed,” Mr Seccull said. “Three years ago we had no idea we would be embarking on this path.”
The Secculls are regularly asked to talk to community groups and health professionals about organ and tissue donation, most recently at the Westmead Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
“It’s humbling to think people consider us worthy enough to present to medical professionals,” Mr Seccull said.
“We’re not special or unique. We have our own story to tell, but there have been plenty before us who had to make the same decision (do donate a relative’s organs) and, hopefully, plenty after us.
“We will never regret the decision we made. “It’s a comforting, humbling feeling to know our son helped to save three other people.
“This is Ethan’s legacy.”
kim.quinlan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
