Hospital Unveils Painting to Celebrate Gift of Life in National Transplant Week A beautiful artwork representing "The Gift of Life" has been unveiled in the intensive care unit (ITU) of Weston General Hospital.
The unveiling is part of the Hospital's contribution to National Transplant Week, which runs from July 9 to 15, 2012.
The 6ft painting of arum lilies, with words including Peace, Strength, Hope and Serenity etched onto it, was created by local artist Ruth Baker.
It was commissioned by Weston Area Health NHS Trust's Organ Donation Committee and is hanging in the Relatives' Room in the ITU.
The committee's role is to promote organ donation throughout the North Somerset community and it normally spends its funds on teaching and study days.
Committee Chair and Trust Director Alison Kingscott said: "The families who gather in the relatives' room of the intensive care unit are sometimes facing terrible news or making heart-rending decisions about their loved ones.
"It occurred to us that the room was horribly bare and we felt it would be very good use of our funds to brighten it up with an appropriate piece of art which celebrates the gift of life which organ donation represents."
Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation Claire Mitchell said: "Working with bereaved families restores my faith in human nature. They have often received the worst news you can possibly hear about a loved one and yet straightaway they say they want to offer their organs to help a complete stranger live a normal life – that's so brave – and it happens in hospitals every day.
"This year's theme for National Transplant Week is 'Pass it On.' It's all about talking to your family about organ donation, so that if the time comes, they will be able to carry out your wishes. Join the Organ Donor Register and then Pass it On!"
Artist Ruth Baker said: "Art, drawing and painting have always played a large part of my life. I took an art foundation course at Taunton College, and also completed a short course at the University of the West of England.
"Ten years ago I was employed by a Bristol firm for glass painting and following that I started my own company promoting children's craft parties. I have produced numerous children's murals and ceiling designs and am very proud of my commission at the hospital."
Ruth also currently works with the Bristol arts and greeting cards company Capture-a-Memory.
For further information, please contact Caroline Welch on 01934 647091
Picture shows: Left to right: Hospital Director Alison Kingscott and Artist Ruth Baker
Further information on National Transplant Week is available from http://www.transplantweek.co.uk/
Ruth Baker is one of Capture a Memory's artists, who produces many other designs. For a full range of her artwork and details of commissions please visit www.capture-a-memory.com or email captureamemory@artlover.co.uk. Ruth is happy to entertain similar commissions for other hospitals/restaurants and all other establishments alike.