Widow says husband's organs were the 'most precious gifts' after they save eight lives

A proud widow has told of her husband's "most precious gifts" after he donated his organs to transform or save the lives of eight people.

Karen Piotr, 55, remembered the words of her husband Mark, 49, in the months before his tragic death from a catastrophic brain bleed. They regularly gave blood in their 31 years together before he fell seriously ill in May, 2017. On one of their last visits to donate, he 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, she remembered his words. She consented to his organs being donated including his heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, small bowel, cornea and retina. His heart went to a then 19-year-old man, who has continued his recovery.

Artist Pete McKee, of Sheffield, was given his liver while Adam Buckborough received his kidney, and went on to get married. Karen climbed Scafell Pike last week to raise awareness of organ donation, wearing a T-shirt showing Mark and the people whose lives he saved.

Karen, of Bradford, W. Yorks., said: "I had the conversation with Mark at one of our last blood donations, not long before he died. I did not want to look at the doctor in intensive care. I knew that I would know instantly that it was the worst news and I could see that on his face.

"I said 'you know we are organ donors don't you?' and he said 'That is what I had come to discuss'. I knew what I wanted to do; I hope people have these conversations with their loved ones so they know their wishes too." She added: "There are eight people alive now because I knew his decision and I was happy to honour it."

Karen now serves as chair of the organ donation committee at Bradford Royal Infirmary. She met Mirror campaigner Max Johnson and his mum Emma at the 2019 World Transplant Games in Newcastle. She backs calls for organ donation to be discussed in schools and colleges.

To find out more and confirm your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk

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