The mother of an eight-year-old boy who saved four lives through organ donation has urged families to discuss their wishes. Theo Kempthorne died suddenly in 2024 after his shunt malfunctioned, causing severe brain damage. His organs were donated to four critically ill people, including another child and a father in his 30s.
Theo's mother, Gemma Kempthorne, 34, from Wadebridge, Cornwall, said she approached medics about organ donation after reading a news article on the impact of transplants. '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,' she said.
Theo was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid in the brain, when Gemma was 20 weeks pregnant. He had a shunt fitted as a baby, which malfunctioned when he was eight. Gemma said she had already considered organ donation when pregnant with Theo, after reading about a baby needing a transplant.
Gemma is now urging adults to sign the organ donor register every three years to reassure relatives of their decision. '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,' she said.
Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, thanked Gemma for sharing her 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,' he said.
