The mother of an eight-year-old boy who saved four lives through organ donation has made a heartfelt plea for families to discuss their wishes regarding donation. Theo Kempthorne died suddenly in 2024 after suffering severe brain damage, but his heart, kidneys, pancreas, and liver were donated to critically ill patients, including another child and a father in his thirties.
Mother’s Decision Stemmed from News Article
Theo’s mother, Gemma, 34, from Wadebridge in Cornwall, approached medics about organ donation after reading a news article on the impact of lifesaving transplants. She said: “If an organ could have been donated to save Theo, then I wouldn’t have even thought about it, I would have said yes. But because it was his brain, that was never going to be an option. People don’t want to think about it, until it happens... and unless you’ve thought about it beforehand, it’s just easier to say no.”
Hydrocephalus and Sudden Tragedy
Gemma was told Theo had hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid in the brain, when she was 20 weeks pregnant. He was born healthier than expected and had a shunt fitted as a baby to drain excess fluid. When Theo was eight, the shunt malfunctioned, causing brain damage. Gemma recalled: “The neurosurgeons told me that he had an unsurvivable condition. I kind of knew - I had that intuition that he was gone. I instantly just asked about organ donation. I think they were a bit taken by surprise, but I told them I’d already had that conversation with myself when I was pregnant with him about what I would do.”
Four Lives Saved
Theo’s heart saved another child, while his kidneys, pancreas, and liver were donated to three patients in their thirties, one of whom was a father. Gemma said: “I’d give anything to have Theo back, but he’s left that legacy behind and been able to help other families not have to lose someone and given them their life back. I wish well to the people he donated to, and I hope their transplants have been successful. It’s bittersweet for me that I’ve had to lose Theo - nothing’s going to take that pain away - but a part of him is living on.”
Urging Others to Sign the Register
Gemma is now urging adults to sign the organ donation register every three years to reassure their relatives of their decision. She said: “Young children can’t make that decision for themselves, but for adults, it’s really easy to sign the register because you know what you want. There isn’t that much time when it happens and no one wants to make the wrong decision. I think organ donation needs to be spoken about more in general.”
NHS Blood and Transplant Response
Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We are most grateful to Gemma for sharing hers and Theo’s story. At the most difficult time, Gemma knew that she wanted Theo to be able to help others. Her decision was prompted by a news article like this one, which meant that, although Theo couldn’t be saved, four other lives were, including another child’s. Reading this article might prompt you to consider becoming an organ donor, and the best way to record your decision is to sign the organ donor register. That way, your family will have no doubt about your wishes. Considering your decision now could make a decision on the hardest day of your family’s lives so much easier, should the worst happen.”
The Mirror has campaigned for years to change the law on organ donation to “deemed consent” and continues to raise awareness of the importance of making your wishes clear to loved ones, as grieving relatives can still veto donation in crucial moments around the time of death.
