Arlene Hutchinson’s husband Mark was just 52 when he died unexpectedly last year after suffering two strokes "out of the blue". Like many couples, they had never discussed organ donation, but she knew it was what he would have wanted. Now Arlene and her 12-year-old son Jack take comfort in knowing that Mark helped make a difference in the lives of others. She said: "He lives on in four people. That can only be a good thing."<\/p>\n
Arlene and Jack, who live near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, hope their story will encourage people to talk about the sensitive issue before it is too late. They also want to raise awareness about strokes. Arlene described Mark as the love of her life and they married in New York in 2010. Jack was born two years later and they were soon joined by the dog Luna. She recalled: \u201cWe had a really happy life together, the three of us.\u201d Arlene said they had a \u201chealthy\u201d family lifestyle. The couple were non-smokers, ate well and enjoyed walking with Luna.<\/p>\n
But last summer her life was suddenly turned upside down. Arlene and Jack walked the dog while Mark took a shower and prepared for a family gathering. When they returned, Arlene said Mark was emotional. \u201cHe told me he wasn\u2019t feeling well at all and he had fallen,\u201d she said. "He just wasn’t himself. And he had a numb tongue." Mark’s speech began to falter and one side of his face drooped – classic stroke symptoms. \u201cIt was very, very stressful,\u201d she said. They tried to keep him calm while they waited for an ambulance.<\/p>\n
After arriving at the hospital, Arlene was told her husband had a blood clot on his brain but was still conscious and sitting upright. She said there was "fear" in Mark’s eyes and he was taken to the stroke unit. In the coming days there was talk of recovery. But then Mark suffered a second stroke and lost consciousness. Arlene said she was "still hopeful" as they waited for the scan results, but they revealed the "devastating" news that Mark’s brain had been severely damaged. \u201cThere was no good outcome,\u201d she said. \u201cI knew Mark would never want to be like that \u2013 where he just couldn\u2019t do anything for himself.\u201d "I’ll never have to do anything as hard as telling Jack."<\/p>\n
As Arlene came to terms with the news, she spoke to the donor team. She said: \u201cWe decided this is what we want to do. Mark was going to die. I felt like the decision was easy for me. \u201cKnowing Mark the person, I know he would have wanted this with all his heart to help others.\u201d He died two days later and was taken to the theater. Arlene said: \u201cThe amazing organ donation specialist team stepped in. \u201cThey cared for Mark and my family with so much dignity and respect. \u201cThey were with us in our darkest moments and when Mark died. \u201cThe team found four recipients for Mark\u2019s organs and, amazingly, we have since heard from one recipient whose life has been completely transformed since receiving two of Mark\u2019s kidneys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone in Scotland became an automatic organ donor from 2021 under new laws unless they opt out. Under the previous system, more than half of Scotland’s population was registered to donate their organs or tissues after their death. Individuals will now be deemed to have consented to the donation unless they have stated otherwise. There are some exceptions, including children under 16 and adults who cannot understand the new law – such as people with dementia. The goal is to enable more people to receive life-saving and life-changing transplants. People who do not want their organs to be donated for a transplant can opt out via the Organ Donation Scotland website.<\/p>\n
Arlene said her husband \u201cjust wanted to spread joy.\u201d She added: "He was caring, a big softie. He had a big smile on his face all the time. He was such a happy man." Reflecting on his loss, she said: "We will never know why as it came completely out of the blue." "It’s been over a year and every day is hard. All of this has changed our lives." Jack, now 13, described his father as \u201calways optimistic and cheerful\u201d. He said: "He was a lot of fun and always did stupid things to make us laugh. He always cracked us up." When asked what he thought about the fact that his father’s organs ultimately helped four other people, Jack replied: "It’s a comfort." \u201cI am very proud.\u201d Arlene and Jack recently unveiled an art installation paying tribute to organ donors at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Artist Shelagh Swanson was commissioned to work with donors’ families as well as youth from more than a dozen high schools to create the ripple effect art. Arlene said she was honored to unveil the artwork, adding: \u201cI am humbled by what the small but dedicated organ donation team are doing and will be forever grateful to them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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