Karen Pilon, 48, who was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, died Tuesday night in an Edmonton hospital.
She had been waiting for a double-lung transplant.
“We lost an amazing woman and I lost my wife, but I gained a hero yesterday so we are all good,” said husband Clarence Pilon.
The couple had agreed years ago if either of them were to pass away, they would donate their organs.
Karen's liver, two kidneys and pancreas have all been donated.
“When her dad passed away 10 years ago, he came up short. Unfortunately with Karen we also came up a little short, but out of that Karen was able to change four peoples' lives last night with her organs being donated to four different people,” said Pilon.
Karen’s father had pulmonary fibrosis and passed away waiting for a transplant at age 67.
The Pilon family is hoping their story will help encourage other people to become organ donors.
“Talk to your families and let them know because the loved ones will be the ones who decide whether you are an organ donor or not. Even if you do sign the organ card, your family trumps all that at the end,” said Clarence.
Karen leaves behind a 32-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter.
nmaxwell@panow.com
On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell
