‘One life can be lost, but up to nine lives can be saved because of that one loss’
Mark and his mum, Dawn, at his graduation(Image: Dawn Letham )
The parents of a Tameside man who tragically died after a seizure led to a series of cardiac arrests have issued a ‘clear message’ to the public.
Mark Thorley, an award-winning artist and JD Williams worker, suddenly died during the summer of last year, aged just 34.
His heartbroken mother Dawn Letham previously told the Manchester Evening News that Mark had epilepsy, which was controlled by medication – but he suffered ‘catastrophic brain damage’ during a seizure that caused him to have two cardiac arrests.
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It was on that devastating day in Tameside hospital when a member of the organ donation team informed Dawn and Mark’s stepdad since he was 10, Alan, were told their son was on the organ donor list – and that their permission was needed to start the process.
By donating his organs, Mark saved five other lives. A man in his forties received one of Mark’s kidneys and his pancreas after three years on the waiting list, while a man in his twenties received the other kidney after over four years waiting.
Mark’s liver was also donated to a man in his 30s who urgently needed a transplant after having been on the list for more than a year. A woman in her fifties, after just five days on the waiting list, received a rare heart transplant, and another woman in her fifties received a double lung transplant.
Mark Thorley was an award-winning artist and JD Williams worker(Image: Dawn Letham)
Nearly a year after his tragic death, Mark’s family have issued an important message to the public. Dawn said: “Our message has always been clear from the moment we lost Mark. One life can be lost, but up to nine lives can be saved because of that one loss.
“The organ donation team really embraced us, literally held our hands, and explained everything at such a difficult time.
“So many people have said to us that they had no idea that families are asked permission, even though they are on the register. Hopefully through Mark’s story, we can get that message out, loud and clear.
“Two minutes is all it takes for families to sit together and discuss their wishes, register their wishes, and officially sign up.”
Mark’s generosity has also been commemorated in a memorial artwork outside Tameside Hospital’s Critical Care Unit. His name was added to a mural which is the shape of an apple blossom tree, with the petals displaying the names of those who have donated their organs or tissues.
Dawn and Alan feel ‘comforted’ knowing Mark saved five lives(Image: Tameside and Glossop IC NHS FT)
As she recalled placing Mark’s petal on the memorial tree, Dawn said: “We felt heartbroken, but extremely proud and comforted – knowing Mark had saved five lives.
“As an artist himself, Mark would have loved the artwork – and what it stands for, ‘giving the gift of life’. He would have loved the fact that this highlights organ donation.”
Mark’s family are sharing his story in the hope of supporting other patients and families at Tameside Hospital by raising funds for the Critical Care Unit through Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity.
The fundraiser has already exceeded £10,000 – and the family hope to hit their goal of £30,000 before Mark’s birthday on August 13, which also happens to be World Organ Donation Day.
Charity Manager Emily Whelan said “We are very grateful for all the support shown by Mark’s family and friends for the Critical Care Unit after they took such good care of Mark in his final days.
“The money raised will hopefully help create a quiet and peaceful space for future critical care patients and their families to sit and reflect during tough times, or remember those who are no longer with us. The proposed idea of a memorial garden would be a fitting tribute to Mark, continuing his legacy of helping others.”
Mark’s mum has urged people to have conversations with family about organ donation(Image: PA)
The law around organ donation changed in England in May 2020 and all adults are now considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die, unless they record a decision not to donate, are in one of the excluded groups, or have told their family that they don’t want to donate.
However, families will still always be consulted before the donation goes ahead. Each year, opportunities for transplants are missed because families aren’t sure what to do.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Both Mark and his family, who supported his decision to be a donor, demonstrate the very best of humanity. Every single organ donor transforms the lives of people they don’t know, at the darkest of times for their own family.
“The impact of each organ donor is incredibly powerful, and their families are rightly proud of their legacy. Patients who have received a transplant say organ donors and their families are heroes.
“We hope hearing that Mark saved five lives will inspire everyone to confirm their decision to be an organ donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Then your family, who will always be involved in organ donation, will be certain that you want to be a donor and save lives.”
Donations can be made via JustGiving via this link.