Publish date: 29 January 2026
The family of Mark, a much-loved 34-year-old man from Tameside, are sharing his story in the hope of raising awareness of organ donation and supporting other patients and families at Tameside Hospital. Following his death in September 2025, Mark’s kidneys, pancreas, heart and lungs were all donated, gifting new life to five strangers in need of a transplant.
Mark was admitted to the Critical Care Unit at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust on 28 August 2025 after suffering multiple cardiac arrests caused by a seizure. Paramedics worked tirelessly to resuscitate him before he was transferred to hospital, where specialist teams continued his care.
For Mark’s mum, Dawn and stepdad, Alan, arriving at the Critical Care Unit was overwhelming, but they were met with kindness, clarity and compassion from staff who took the time to explain what was happening and support them through every step.
“Walking onto that unit, I can imagine we looked like rabbits in headlights. But the staff were incredible,” Dawn recalled, “They explained everything, answered every question and never made us feel like we were alone.
"One thing I will never forget is that even though Mark was on a ventilator and unresponsive, staff spoke to him whenever they did tests or took blood. As a mother, that meant the absolute world,” Dawn said.
Despite every effort and extensive testing, Mark did not regain consciousness. His family say that doctors delivered the news that Mark sadly would not recover with care and respect, giving them the time and space they needed to understand what was happening.
Mark was a registered organ donor, and his family were supported by the organ donation team to honour his wishes. On 2 September 2025, Mark sadly passed away. As he was taken to the operating theatre, staff and other families formed a Guard of Honour in recognition of his final act of generosity.
By donating his organs, Mark saved five lives. A man in his forties received one of Mark’s kidneys and his pancreas after three years on the waiting list, and a man in his twenties received the other kidney after over four years waiting.
Mark’s liver was donated to a man in his thirties 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 precious and rare heart transplant, and another woman in her fifties received a double lung transplant thanks to Mark’s donation.
In addition, Mark was able to donate bone and tendons, providing hope and recovery for even more people.
Emily Whelan, Charity Manager at Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, said, “Mark’s story has touched all of us deeply. The care he received, the dignity shown to his family and the legacy he has left behind are incredibly moving.
“Dawn’s strength and determination to honour Mark and continue his legacy is remarkable, and through her kindness and openness, Mark continues to bring hope to others.”
Since Mark’s death, his family, friends and colleagues have come together to raise funds for the Critical Care Unit, including support towards a proposed memorial garden for patients and families. Mark’s friends raised £1,050 at a live music fundraising event held in Mark’s memory and from donations at Mark’s funeral. Dawn’s workplace, Prestbury Travel, raised over £5,000 in a single day through a holiday auction, raffle and kind donations.
Donations to support the memorial garden can be made via JustGiving at https://justgiving.com/page/memorialgarden-mark
Mark’s family hope that by sharing his story, more people will consider organ donation and have open conversations with their loved ones about their wishes. Anyone wishing to join the UK Organ Donor Register can find more information at https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk
