NO SACRIFICE was too great when the man she loved needed her more than ever.

When Carol Jewell knew her husband of 33 years John was on the verge of death with kidney failure she did not hesitate to risk her own life and donate an organ.

But after the successful operation four years ago he has left her for her sister-in-law.

Despite his departure, which followed her own battle with cancer, Mrs Jewell refuses to be bitter about the actions of her husband with whom she has two grown-up children.

Yesterday at her home in Woodley, Berkshire, she said: “I’m not vindictive towards him at all. I’m more upset than anything else and I try to look forward and not look back.

“Life’s too short so I try not to be bitter about it. I’ve no wish to have a witch-hunt.

“I’m a very positive person, I think that’s why I got over cancer. If you can do that, you can do anything.”

Carol, 53, had met John in 1971 when they started working together at Reading University. Both represented the Liberal Democrats on Woodley Town Council where Mrs Jewell is the current Mayor.

Her lifelong friend, a fellow councillor, Vivienne Samuel, told of the moment Mrs Jewell, who has two children, broke down in tears as she spoke of her husband’s betrayal.

Ms Samuel said yesterday: “The whole situation is absolutely stunning — that’s the only word I can think of to describe it.

“They just seemed so perfectly happy together. Even their daughter Kay became a councillor and although their other daughter lives on the continent, they were always a very close family.”

“Four years ago she gave John one of her kidneys when he was at a serious risk of dying. Of course, as his wife, she loved him and would do anything for him. And then two years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to have a lumpectomy literally just before Kay’s wedding. She underwent chemotherapy and lost all her hair — and she’s still on drugs today while in remission.

“She is very brave but when she needed his support, this is how he has repaid her.”

Mrs Jewell had donated her kidney after a search for donors among his relatives. Mr Jewell said at the time. “My biggest fear is that if the operation fails then Carol would have gone through all this effort for nothing. We could both end up with only one kidney.”

Mr Jewell, 53, resigned his council seat on Monday and has now gone to Dorset with his new love, Marilyn Edmeades, who was married to Carol’s brother.

One close friend, who did not want to be named, said last night: “Marilyn was married to Carol’s brother, John. That’s what makes this whole situation so abysmally sad. Now the pair have run away together, leaving Carol and her brother absolutely devastated.”

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Donor organ allowed child’s own heart to heal
• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating