‘Bittersweet’ as four lives saved by eight-year-old boy’s organ donation

The mother of the little boy who saved the lives of four people through organ donation spoke of her son’s “bittersweet” legacy.

Born with hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain, Theo Kempthorne died suddenly in 2024 at the age of eight, but his organs helped other critically ill patients, including another child and a father in his 30s.

Gemma Kempthorne, 34, from Wadebridge in Cornwall, approached doctors about organ donation after reading an article about organ transplants while she was pregnant.

He said he would “give anything” to get his son back, but said his son left behind a legacy of helping other families.

Mrs Kempthorne said she was told of her son’s condition in the 20th week of the pregnancy and was warned that he might be ill after birth.

Theo was born “healthier than expected” and had a shunt inserted into his brain as a baby to drain excess fluid.

His mother said he enjoyed school and playing with water and sand. Bing also loved watching Paw Patrol and cuddling.

But when Theo was eight, the shunt malfunctioned, causing brain damage.

“The neurosurgeons told me his condition was insurmountable,” his mother said. “I kind of knew; I had an inkling that he was gone.

“If an organ could be donated to save Theo, I wouldn’t even consider it, I would say yes. But since it was his brain, that would never be an option.”

“I immediately asked about organ donation. I think they were a little surprised, but I told them that I had already had this conversation with myself about what to do when I was pregnant with him.”

While Theo’s heart saved another child, his kidneys, pancreas and liver were donated to three patients in their 30s, one of whom was a father.

Before Theo was born, Mrs. Kempthorne had seen a news story about a baby needing an organ transplant and another baby who was an organ donor.

He said: “I was talking about resuscitation and things like that in case Theo was born really bad.

“I had seen an article about a baby needing a transplant and it got me thinking about what I would do if Theo wasn’t going to survive.

“Luckily Theo was born healthier than I expected and I didn’t have to think about it for eight years. I never had to think about it again until that day.”

“I would give anything to have Theo back, but he left this legacy behind and helped other families avoid having to lose someone and gave them their lives back.

“I wish the people he donated good luck and hope his transplants are successful. Losing Theo is both bitter and sweet for me; nothing will ever take away the pain, but a part of him lives on.”

Ms Kempthorne now urges adults to sign the organ donation register every three years to reassure relatives that they are confident in their decision.

“People don’t want to think about it until it happens… and it’s easier to say no unless you think about it beforehand,” he said.

“Little kids can’t make that decision on their own, but for adults it’s really easy to sign the registry because you know what you want.

“I think organ donation should be talked about more in general.

“There’s not a lot of time for this to happen, and no one wants to make the wrong decision.”

Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We are grateful to Gemma for sharing her and Theo’s story. “At the most difficult time, Gemma knew she wanted Theo to be able to help others.

“It was news like this that led to his decision, which meant that although Theo could not be saved, four more people could be saved, including that of another child.

“Reading this article may prompt you to consider becoming an organ donor, and the best way to record your decision is to sign the organ donor register, so your family will have no doubts about your wishes.

“Thinking about your decision now can make it a much easier decision if the worst happens, on the hardest day of your family’s life.”