THE devoted husband of a young woman, who passed away while waiting for a double lung transplant, held an exhibition of his own artwork to raise awareness of organ donation and cystic fibrosis.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Sam Yates was just 28 when she died in April last year.

Sam suffered from cystic fibrosis and had been waiting for a double lung transplant for three years.

Her widowed husband Luke held a special art exhibition, Art Transplant, at Oxford University, where he works as a research scientist.

The paintings will be auctioned later this year to raise money for charities involved in organ donation and cystic fibrosis.

Luke, 27, of Preston Candover, said: “The oil paintings produced for the exhibition are probably a result of my outpouring of grief and loss.

“My hope now is that through exhibiting these paintings and sharing my story this will increase awareness around organ donations, which can help save and transform many people’s lives.

“It will hopefully encourage family and friends to have conversations about their organ donation views and wishes.”

Through the exhibition, Luke is carrying on the work of Sam, who campaigned tirelessly to promote awareness of organ donation and was a donor herself – donating her corneas after her death.

Among those who visited the exhibition were clinicians and researchers involved in transplant medicine, along with charity representatives.

The exhibition showcased a number of works by Luke, predominantly landscapes and seascapes.

Among the charities who will benefit from the auction of the paintings are the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the Royal Brompton, where Sam was treated, Harefield Hospital Charitable Trust, and Live Life then Give Life.

The exhibition opened to the public on March 15.

To sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit organdonation.nhs.uk.