Widower's pride after wife's organs save lives

A husband has told of his pride after his wife's donated organs saved the lives of three people after her death.

Maureen Thompson, who ran a sweetshop in Hull for 26 years, died in April last year, just weeks before her 65th birthday.

Her husband John, 67, said she had always been determined she should be an organ donor because there was "no reason not to".

"Purely and simply, she would say it would be a waste when it's useful," he said.

Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, John said Maureen had been passionate about organ donation for many years, having signed the NHS Organ Donor Register four times and carried a donor card from the early days of their relationship.

Although he was unaware she had registered multiple times until he was contacted by the donation team, he said it showed how determined she was to make sure her wishes were carried out.

NHS Blood and Transplant have launched an appeal for one million people to register their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register before the end of the year.

Director Anthony Clarkson said: "Family support for organ donation has been in steady decline over the last few years, and we need to reverse that trend."

John has added his voice to the campaign to encourage others to register as donors.

"It took me a while to get there because [after her death] it was all about how much I was missing her," he said.

"But Maureen has actually encouraged so many people to become donors. At the end of the day, that's the ultimate gift.

"I don't know what you could give to anybody that would better than that."

John said his wife was kind, energetic and fiercely loyal to her family and friends.

"She would think she was no different to any other wife, mother or grandma, but everybody who knew her thought she was."

He said he had found comfort knowing the difference Maureen had made in helping other people and receiving the Order of St John Award for Organ and Tissue Donation, an honour sanctioned by the King, would have really pleased his wife.

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