26/09/2026
Thank you for sharing Kurt's story * raising awareness
Loving the pink lighting Sherwood Forrest Hospital 💗🦋💗
The partner of a man whose donated organs saved or improved the lives of others is urging people to register their organ donation decision and talk to their families, as NHS Blood and Transplant calls for one million more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.
We're sharing Kurt’s story and lighting up King's Mill Hospital towers pink during national NHS Organ Donation Week (21 to 27 September) to highlight why recording a decision and discussing it with loved ones matters: donation can still only go ahead with family support, even under deemed consent.
Kurt was a keen follower of football, even running his own grassroots club in the local area. He loved all genres of music and enjoyed playing piano, drums and guitar.
He found peace surrounded by nature and the outdoors, especially listening to the wind rustling through the trees and days blessed with blue skies. Having a wide range of general knowledge, Kurt was always the one to have on your side in a quiz.
When Kurt became critically ill in hospital and it was clear that nothing more could be done, his partner of 25 years, TJ, was approached by Specialist Nurses for Organ Donation.
For TJ and their two adult children, the decision was made easier because Kurt had recorded his wishes on the NHS Organ Donor Register not once, but three times, in the years before his untimely death.
TJ said: “As painful as the situation was, we were powerless to change what was happening. But supporting Kurt’s wish to be an organ donor gave us a way to carry something on for him.
“The fact he wanted to be an organ donor was not a surprise to me because of the kind of person he was – he was very selfless and always gave so much. Kurt’s Dad was himself a recipient of a donor heart, gifting almost 30 more years of life and opportunities to make precious memories together. This meant he knew how much of a difference it could make.
“I’m so proud of him. His kidneys went to two recipients and I received a letter from one of them saying they had got their life back after years of needing dialysis in hospital.
“It’s a lovely thought that somewhere out there he’s still helping people.”
TJ urged everyone to register their donation decision and, just as importantly, to talk to their loved ones so their wishes were understood if the worst happens.
She said: “I was really shocked when I discovered how many donations don’t go ahead because, for whatever reason, families override their loved one’s decision.
“For me, it’s like someone running a race and then not getting across the finishing line. They make that conscious decision to put themselves on the register and that’s what they wanted. It would be such a shame if they didn’t reach that goal in life.”
“I understand it’s difficult and people have a mix of feelings. It was a relatively easy decision for me because the whole family was in agreement.
“If you’ve talked about it beforehand with all your loved ones then you have the opportunity to explain your decision so that they understand and hopefully support your wishes.”
Jenna Povey, Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation, said: “Kurt’s story shows the life-changing difference organ donation can make. By recording his decision, he helped give his family clarity at an incredibly difficult time.
“We would encourage everyone to take a few minutes to register their decision and talk to their loved ones, so their family knows what they want if the time ever comes.”
Register or update your organ donation decision at www.organdonation.nhs.uk
