Darren Smith

Darren's Rowing across the Atlantic for CDoC Research at Cardiff University

Fundraising for Cardiff University

Story

In January 2025 my three team mates and I are competing in the Atlantic Dash, a 3200 mile row from Lanzarote to Antigua.

We will be rowing for 2 hours then resting for 2 hours constantly, 24 hours a day for around 8 weeks. On bad days waves will measure up to 20ft high. On average we will lose 12kg on the journey, each day burning 5000 calories and drinking 10 litres of water.

The reason I want to raise money for the “Coma and Disorders of Consciousness Research Centre” at Cardiff University is because of my personal experience.

My wife Jenny was severely brain injured at the young age 46 and left in a Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness. After a lot of clinical tests and assessments it became clear she would never again have a life she would have valued for herself. It was very traumatic watching her trapped in this condition. For years there seemed like no way out for her.But then I discovered that she did not have to just stay that way. There were legal and ethical processes for making decisions about treatment. After the medical team reviewed my wife's clinical condition, and listening to her family, a decision was made to focus on palliative and end-of-life care. Life-sustaining interventions were withdrawn and my wife was allowed to die a peaceful death. I am very grateful that this was an option for her.

The “Coma and Disorders of Consciousness Research Centre” has been really important in making sure that this option is considered. I know they have helped changed how decisions are approached by clinical teams and by the law. They have also created really good online support for families and training for clinicians.

In memory of my wife, I am proud to support their ongoing work.

Donate to my Team mates very important charities here:

Pete: https://www.justgiving.com/page/peter-ross-171614585587

Neil: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/frida-johansson

Nick: https://www.justgiving.com/page/nick-atlantic-dash-shark-trust

https://www.facebook.com/rowforit25/

Useful Links:

Overview of the research centre activities: https://cdoc.org.uk/

Example of training for staff: https://cdoctraining.org.uk/endoflife-registration/

Information for families:

https://healthtalk.org/introduction/family-experiences-of-vegetative-and-minimally-conscious-states/

Changes CDoC Work Tirelessly on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQZT1YEeteU