Zoe Taylor, a patient, daughter, and proud mother who sadly died on 30 March 2025 following a short illness, has been remembered by her sons, Callum and Josh, for the amazing gifts Zoe donated – both her kidneys, her liver, bone, and tissue to others much in need.
A plaque has been unveiled at the West Suffolk Hospital in Zoe’s memory with Callum and Josh, members of the critical care unit team and chief and deputy chief nurses, Dan Spooner and Sarah Ward, to recognise Zoe’s life and act of donation.
Callum said: “Our mother was a kind, caring, and loving person. She always wanted to help others, and her donation means others can live a better quality of life. We know one person waited five years for a kidney, and she would be incredibly moved by the impact of her act of generosity. We’re incredibly proud of our Mum.”
Josh added: “We are so grateful our wonderful Mum had the conversation with us about her wishes. During those final days and hours, knowing what she wanted made a difficult thing that little bit easier.
“If you want to be an organ donor, please have those conversations with your loved ones now. Leaving your family and friends with the certainty of your wishes makes a massive difference to them and those who receive a really precious gift.”
Amber Shead, specialist nurse for organ donation helped Zoe’s family through the process of organ donation, explaining every step of the way: “Through Zoe’s short illness it was an honour to help Callum, Josh, and Zoe’s family and loved ones during what was a very difficult time. As Zoe had communicated to her nearest and dearest her wishes upon her death, they were able to honour her intentions with the confidence they were acting on her behalf, which has helped many others in need.
“England is now an opt-out system for organ donation, but not declaring what you’d like to happen is a real barrier to helping so many others live healthy, full, lives for many years to come. We encourage everyone to have a conversation with their loved ones. Two minutes now could save up to nine lives and restore the eyesight of two people. You can register your wishes on the NHS Blood and Transplant website by visiting www.organdonation.nhs.uk, it only takes a couple of minutes”
Chief nurse for the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Dan Spooner said: “The death of a patient is truly heartbreaking, however, the end of one life can help many others’ continue. Zoe’s amazing gifts are very important, and nearly all of us can do this. If you haven’t already, please register your intentions on the NHS Blood and Transplant website and have the conversation about what you would, and wouldn’t, like to happen after your death.”
