‘My late husband’s organs transformed the lives of four people’

Arlene Hutchinson’s husband Mark was just 52 when he died suddenly 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.

Today, Arlene and her son Jack, 12, take comfort in knowing that Mark has helped transform the lives of others.

She said: “He lives with four people. That can only be a good thing.”

Arlene and Jack, who live near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, hope their story will encourage people to talk about this sensitive subject before it is too late.

They also want to raise awareness about strokes.

Arlene, 51, who works in marketing, met Mark in 2004.

He worked in the behavioral health and safety field but they didn’t become a couple until 2007.

Arlene described him 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 their pet dog, Luna.

She recalls: “We had a really happy life together, the three of us.”

Arlene said they had a “healthy” family lifestyle.

The couple were non-smokers, ate well and enjoyed taking Luna for walks.

But last summer, their lives were suddenly turned upside down.

Arlene and Jack took the dog for a walk while Mark was in the shower getting ready for a family event.

When they returned, Arlene said Mark was emotional.

“He told me he didn’t feel well at all and that he had fallen,” she said. “He just wasn’t himself. And his tongue was numb.”

Mark’s speech began to slur and one side of his face drooped – classic symptoms of a stroke.

“It was very, very painful,” she said.

They tried to keep him calm while waiting for an ambulance.

After arriving at the hospital, Arlene learned that her husband had a blood clot in his brain but was still conscious and sitting up.

She said there was “fear” in Mark’s eyes and he was taken to the stroke ward.

In the days that followed, there was talk of recovery.

But Mark then suffered a second stroke and lost consciousness.

Arlene said she “still had hope” as she waited for the scan results, but they revealed the “devastating” news that Mark’s brain had been seriously damaged.

“There haven’t been any good results,” she said.

“I knew Mark would never want to be like that, where he just couldn’t do anything for himself.

“I’ll never have to do something as hard as telling Jack.”

As Arlene came to terms with the news, she spoke to the donor team.

She said: “We decided this is what we would like to do.

“Mark was going to die. I felt like it was an easy decision for me to make.

“Knowing the person Mark was, I know he would have wholeheartedly wanted this to help others.”

He died two days later and was taken to the theater.

Arlene said: “The incredible organ donation team stepped up.

“They took care of Mark and my family with such dignity and respect.

“They were with us during our darkest times and when Mark passed away.

“The team found four recipients for Mark’s organs, and we have since surprisingly heard about one recipient whose life has completely changed since receiving two kidneys from Mark.”

Arlene and Jack recently unveiled an art installation at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary which pays tribute to organ donors.

Artist Shelagh Swanson was tasked with working with donors’ loved ones, as well as young people from more than a dozen high schools, to create this ripple effect art.

Workshops were held with secondary school pupils across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in Stonehaven, Kemnay, Huntly, Inverurie and Peterhead.

Arlene said she was honored to unveil the artwork and added: “I am in awe of what the small but dedicated organ donation team are achieving and will be forever grateful to them.”

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 allowed to donate their organs or tissues after death.

It is now assumed that individuals have consented to the donation unless otherwise stated.

There are some exemptions, including for children under 16 and adults who do not have the capacity to understand the new law – for example people with dementia.

The goal is that more people can benefit from life-saving and life-changing transplants.

People who do not want their organs donated for transplant can unsubscribe via the Organ Donation Scotland website.

Arlene said her husband “just wanted to spread joy”.

She added: “He was caring, a great tender person. He always had a big smile on his face. He was such a happy man.”

Reflecting on her loss, she said: “We will never know why because it was completely unexpected.

“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 “always optimistic and cheerful”.

He said: “He was a lot of fun, he was always doing stupid things to make us laugh. He was always making us angry.”

When asked how he felt about his father’s organs finally helping four other people, Jack said: “It’s a comfort.

“I’m very proud.”