'My husband saved eight lives after his death'

Mark Piotr died aged just 49 after a catastrophic brain bleed

When her husband Mark died suddenly from a catastrophic brain bleed seven years ago, Karen Piotr was devastated.

Yet while coping with grief, she recalled a seemingly throwaway remark the 49-year-old had made after they had been to donate blood together.

In that moment, Mark had joked: “They’ve had a pint of my Yorkshire finest, if anything ever happens, they can just have the lot!”

After doctors told the Bradford College administrator that there was nothing that could be done to save Mark, his comment echoed in her mind.

Karen Piotr with Sheffield artist Pete McKee, who received her husband Mark's donated liver

She consented to Mark's organs being donated and eight people have since received them - including the Sheffield artist and mural painter Pete McKee, who was given his liver in a transplant.

Karen, from Queensbury, said: "It’s quite a strange conversation to be able to recall when you’re in an intensive care ward. But I just immediately turned around and said, 'you know, we're organ donors, don't you?'

“There are eight people now alive having that second chance of life because I knew his decision and I was happy to honour it."

In the years since Mark died, Karen has become a passionate advocate for organ donation, raising awareness and encouraging others to confirm their wish to be on the NHS donor register.

She now serves as chair of the organ donation committee at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

During Organ Donation Week (23-29 September), Karen is urging others to have important conversations with their families about their wishes in case of unexpected tragedy.

Although most donor families never meet the recipients of their loved one’s organs, Karen has had the opportunity to meet two of them, experiences she described as “overwhelming".

“Pete McKee just came over to me and hugged me and whispered in my ear, ‘thank you'. Since then we've done various events together. He's learned to play golf. Mark loved to play golf.

"The other man, Adam Buckborough, who has a kidney from Mark, has gone on to marry his childhood sweetheart and they've now bought a house together. I think it’s just amazing.”

Karen has several fundraising events lined up this month, including a Race for Recipients challenge with hospital staff and other donors' relatives.

Karen Piotr (middle) with Adam Buckborough, who received a donor kidney from Karen's husband Mark, and his wife Alex

The organ donor register was set up 30 years ago, but more than 7,600 people remain on the waiting list for a transplant, including 92 in the Bradford district. Eighty patients were given a transplant in the city in 2023.

The UK operates an "opt-out" system for organ donation, meaning everyone is considered a donor unless they specifically opt out. However, individuals still need to confirm their decision and, crucially, discuss their wishes with their families.

Campaigners like Karen want to ensure people actively declare their wishes to loved ones.

Dr James Morgan, clinical lead for organ donation at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, said: "We need more people in Bradford and across the district to confirm their decision on the register today to save more lives now and in the future. One organ donor has the potential to save nine lives, which is an incredible legacy to leave."

Mohammed 'Izzy' Islam has been on the kidney donor waiting list for three years.

Among those waiting for a transplant is Mohammed 'Izzy' Islam, a 48-year-old former paramedic who has been on the waiting list for a kidney for three years.

The transplant would be his second after his body rejected his brother's kidney in a previous procedure. Izzy, from Buttershaw, has called for more people from BAME backgrounds to consider organ donation.

“There are lots of misconceptions and myths. But an imam once told me, 'which god is going to tell you not to save a life?'."

Despite the failure of his transplant, Izzy remains grateful and is passionate about spreading the message.

“It was life-changing for me to get a kidney transplant. If you have the opportunity, if you are thinking about it, get in touch and get more information. It is literally the gift of life.”

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