A piercing smile that beams out of his photos is not the only legacy left behind by much-loved Joe Brown.

At just 29, his life was cut short, but not before he made a decision that would save the lives of three other people.

Prior to his untimely death, the avid gamer signed up to donate all his organs to help those waiting for a life-saving transplant.

For his mother and siblings, nothing could prepare them for losing "kind and generous" Joe so suddenly, but they have found solace in knowing part of him lives on.

Big sister, Louise Edwards, told Black Country Live: "He had opted to donate all his organs. Initially, my mum struggled with this decision but its what he wanted.

"He saved two 29-year-old men who had been waiting nearly two years for a life-saving transplant and he also helped a lady in her 50s.

Joes liver and kidneys were donated shortly after his death at Walsall Manor Hospital on July 23 this year.

Louise said: "My brother was a caring person and, even on his deathbed, he wanted to help. He chose to do it so we had to support it. He agreed to have his stem cells taken to help children. Although he is no longer here, he is still helping people.

"Its comforting to know he saved the lives of three people and his legacy lives on."

According to figures released by the NHS blood and transplant service, there are currently around 6,000 people on the UK transplant waiting list.

Last year, more than 350 people died while waiting for a transplant. Just eight per cent of organs donated were from those of African, Caribbean or Asian heritage.

While his final gesture represented the gift of life, Joe was hiding a silent battle with mental health.

An inquest hearing held at Black Country Coroners Court decided he had tragically taken his own life.

Louise said: "He didnt talk about his struggles with mental health, he always said he didnt want to be a burden. He had stopped talking to us, we only got him back two weeks before his death."

During the inquest, it was revealed that, in the weeks before Joe's death, he had tried to contact the emergency mental health crisis team but was denied a face-to-face appointment because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"He only used to confide in his friends on the Xbox, he talked about his past, his troubles in his relationship and previous suicide attempts, his sister continued.

She added: "He was a family person, he was a kind and generous person, thats the legacy that he left behind. More than 200 people came to pay their respects at his funeral, he didnt know how loved he was.

"To those struggling with mental health, speak out. It doesnt make you weak to speak out. If he had told us how he was feeling we could have helped to get him the help he needed.

Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how youre feeling, or if youre worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit http://www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline is for men who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They're open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.

Childline (0800 1111 ) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number wont show up on your phone bill. PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesnt have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information depressionalliance.org Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029 ) helps people who are struggling to cope - experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis. You can call them between 8pm and 6am every night.There are other depression charities.

"The family are distraught, my kids and the younger siblings dont understand why Joe isnt here. Im the oldest and I never thought he would be gone before me."

At the hearing, coroner, Joanne Lees, told the court that Joe had been found unresponsive in his room by his ex-girlfriend on July 20, 2020.

Paramedics were able to resuscitate him and he was rushed to Walsall Manor Hospital but, due to a cardiac arrest, he suffered a brain injury which led to his death.

Fondly recalling her sons warm character, Vicky Spriggs told the court: "He was a happy go lucky person who didnt believe in mental health, he would always say, 'suck it up' or 'man up'.

"He was bubbly and outgoing. Joe was always smiling and joking around.

Ms Lees recorded a verdict of suicide and offered her condolences to the family.

The rest is here:
Much-loved son Joe Brown saved three lives after tragic death at just 29 - Birmingham Live

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