“He didn’t just die, he gave life”: A wife’s powerful tribute during Organ Donation Week
A widow and member of the Organ Donation Committee at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) talked about the many lives saved thanks to her late husband’s organ donation.
Joanne Caswell, 54, from Bromborough, lost her husband Karl in 2010 at the age of 46 after he suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage. In the hours that followed, Karl became an organ donor, giving hope and life to several people across the country. Joanne, who was 38 at the time, has shared their story during Organ Donation Week, to raise awareness of the lifesaving impact of becoming a donor.
Joanne and Karl had both served in the Army and were passionate about helping others. After Karl was diagnosed with a rare brain condition in 2005, the couple had spoken openly about their wishes around end-of-life care and organ donation.
Joanne said: “Karl had an AVM, an arteriovenous malformation, which is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels in the brain. At one point, we were told he had just six months to live. But thanks to amazing care, we had another five years together. During that time, we talked about everything, even the hard stuff. I’m so grateful we did.”
On 28th February 2010, the couple’s 17th wedding anniversary, Karl suffered a major seizure at home. He was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital, where he was placed in intensive care and later confirmed to have died from brain death rather than cardiac arrest.
Joanne said: “Brain death is when the brain has stopped working completely and can’t recover. But if a person is on a ventilator, their heart and organs can still function for a short time. That’s what made Karl eligible for organ donation. His body was keeping his organs working long enough for them to be transplanted.”
Karl went on to donate multiple organs and tissues, including his kidneys, liver, pancreas, eyes and heart valves.
Joanne said: “One of his kidneys and his pancreas went to a woman who had been on dialysis for years. A year later, she was able to go on holiday abroad. His other kidney and part of his liver went to a man who was able to get back in the gym and be a father for his teenage sons. His heart valves went to babies. He changed lives, not just for the recipients, but for their entire families.”
The couple had three young sons at the time, James, aged 14, Sean, 12, and Edward, 8. Two of the boys now work in healthcare roles, something Joanne believes was inspired by their dad’s selfless final act.
She added: “The boys saw what Karl did, and they understood the impact. They grew up wanting to help others too, that’s his legacy.”
Karl was also involved in the local community, assisting with the Cub Scouts and helping train the boys at Wirral Rugby Club.
Joanne is now an active member of WUTH’s Organ Donation Committee and continues to speak out about the importance of education and awareness.
She said: “People are often unsure about what organ donation involves. Some think they’re too old to donate, or not healthy enough, or that previous illnesses rule them out, but that’s not always true. Even tissue like skin and eyes can be used to save or change someone’s life. It’s so important that people understand that, and talk to their families about their wishes.”
In 2024/25, WUTH supported four organ donors, leading to 11 patients receiving lifesaving transplants. In 2023/24, there were six organ donors and 15 people received transplants as a result.
Angela Campion-Sheen, Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation at WUTH, said: “Joanne’s story is a powerful reminder of how organ donation can offer hope in the darkest of times. Sadly, more people than ever are waiting for a life-saving transplant, and every day, someone dies because the organ they desperately needed didn’t arrive in time. I urge everyone to have that vital conversation with their loved ones and to record their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. One conversation could go on to save multiple lives.”
As of 31st August 2025, more than 142,000 people on the Wirral are registered on the NHS Organ Donation Register, with 33 local residents currently waiting for a transplant.
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at WUTH, said: “Joanne’s courage in sharing her family’s experience is deeply moving. Her husband’s legacy lives on in every life he helped save. Her story captures the real impact of organ donation, and why it's so important we talk about it, share our wishes, and support this incredible act of generosity.”
Joanne added: “Organ donation is one of the most selfless things a person can do. It creates a ripple effect, it gives someone their life back, and it brings hope to their families, their friends, and everyone around them. Karl didn’t just die, he gave life.”