King’s Lynn hospital’s Jill Hall highlights how her son’s death helped save other lives through organ donations

A mother has told the emotional story of how her son’s death helped save the lives of others.

Lynn’s Corn Exchange will be illuminated in pink today to support Organ Donation Week.

Thanks to the support of West Norfolk Council, Queen Elizabeth Hospital staff are lighting up the building to mark the 30th anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register.

They are encouraging the public to register themselves and to be inspired by a very personal story about the impact of organ donation.

Highlighting the importance of organ donation is Jill Hall, the QEH’s director of corporate affairs.

Jill’s son Alex died in 2011, but through his passing, he became an organ donor, giving the gift of life to five others.

In a moving video to support Organ Donation Week, Jill shared her emotional journey, discussing the heartbreak of losing her son and the hope that organ donation brought to other families.

She said: “Losing Alex was the hardest thing I have ever gone through, but knowing that his gift has saved the lives of others brings me some comfort.

“I hope by sharing our story, more people will consider registering as organ donors and talking to their families about their wishes.”

Registering can make a significant difference, as families are more likely to honour the wishes of a loved one who has signed the register, and each organ donor has the potential to save up to nine lives.

While thousands of lives are saved or transformed through organ transplants in the UK every year, the need for more donors remains critical.

There are currently more than 7,000 people awaiting a transplant, and every day someone loses their life due to a shortage of available organs.

At the QEH in the year to March 2024, eight patients donated their organs, resulting in seven life-saving or life-changing transplants.

In the East of England, more than 380 people have received transplants in the past year - but 79 people died while waiting for a suitable donor.

As part of the week’s activities, the QEH is encouraging staff and the public to wear pink to raise awareness of organ donation.

The lighting of Lynn Corn Exchange in pink today will further highlight the importance of this life-saving act.