shareyourwishes posted at Instagram:

We would like to take this opportunity of wishing our Karen, an integral part of our fabulous team,a very Happy Birthday today!

Happy Birthday Karen from all your friends at SYW 🎁

Karen is also Trustee for the Donor Family Network
following her husband Mark going on to save and change many lives after his untimely passing in May 2017

Karen shares her story on this her birthday in the hope that people will #sharetheirwishes and “raise awareness of the joy and importance organ donation can give”.

Karen: “Organ donation is a reality for me, following the sudden passing of my husband Mark, aged 49, in May 2017 from a spontaneous brain bleed. We were both regular givers of blood and had signed up to the donor register many years ago also.

I am proud I found the strength to honour his wishes and grateful every day for the new friends and opportunities to talk about organ donation.

Over 7 years ago I had no hesitation in supporting Mark’s decision for his organs to be donated and the donation team came to speak to me to start the process. The transplant nurse was kind, understanding, patient and explained things well for me. I never felt rushed into making the decision, and he kept me informed of the process at all times. Until he took Mark on his last journey to the mortuary.

I was astounded that so many of his organs and tissue could be used and I know that his heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and eyes have all been used so far. I was extremely comforted that Mark could help others even though he was dying. I knew that there was no way back for him and the fact that he was an A- blood type was even more special and spurred me on and filled me with joy. The thought of all those recipients and their families/friends getting that vital phone call was an amazing thought that helped me through the first few days after he died.

Source: Instagram,
Account-Name: shareyourwishes

Created on: 2026-01-07 22:38:35