A legacy of hope: Whiteabbey Hospital staff honour Laurie Hogan with donation to ICU charity

Linda Hogan and her colleagues from Whiteabbey Hospital who helped to raise money for the Revive ICU Fund.

Staff from Whiteabbey Hospital’s endoscopy unit have paid a powerful tribute to a beloved young man by raising £2,400 for the Revive ICU Fund — a gesture inspired by an enduring legacy of love, generosity and hope.

The donation was made in memory of Laurie Hogan, who tragically passed away on 13 June 2020 following a sudden brain haemorrhage.

Laurie, described by his parents as “a bright, fit and healthy young man with a world of opportunity ahead of him,” had been offered a place to begin PhD research at Queen’s University Belfast, with dreams of one day working for NASA.

Despite the unimaginable grief of losing their son, Laurie’s parents, Linda and Steve Hogan, made the selfless decision to donate his organs — a final act of generosity that saved the lives of four men.

Steve and Linda Hogan holding a storyboard which tells the story of their son Laurie.

Five years on, Laurie’s legacy continues to make a meaningful impact through the dedication of his mother Linda, a nurse, and her colleagues at Whiteabbey Hospital.

Through Easter hamper raffles and heartfelt donations, the team raised £2,400 to support the work of the regional intensive care unit in Belfast, where critically ill patients receive lifesaving care.

Reflecting on her journey, Linda Hogan shared:

“Losing Laurie will never get any easier for us, but we know his legacy lives on, not only in memory, but in the lives he has helped to restore.

“He had been offered a place to begin PhD research at Queen’s University in Belfast, with hopes of one day working for NASA. His future was full of promise, and we want to honour his life and ensure that he continues to make a difference.

“Working as a nurse alongside intensive care colleagues during the pandemic really deepened my understanding of the importance of organ donation.

“When our family was going through such a huge personal loss, it sparked a powerful drive to help others. By donating to Revive, and supporting its work for patients and their loved ones, we are continuing to do this.”

The Revive ICU Fund plays a crucial role in supporting the Regional Intensive Care Unit in Belfast, providing resources and assistance for patients and families during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

By making this donation, Linda and the endoscopy team not only continue Laurie’s story but also help ensure that other families in crisis receive the care and compassion they need.

The heartfelt initiative serves as a reminder of the power of community, resilience, and the life-saving gift of organ donation — a legacy that lives on in those whose lives Laurie helped restore.

For more information about the Revive ICU Fund, tap the button below.

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