A 27-year-old man who died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage has saved the lives of six people through organ donation, with his family now backing an NHS campaign to encourage more people to discuss their wishes.
Alex Newlove, originally from Tarleton, Lancashire, had moved to the US to pursue a career in accountancy and finance. He died in Manchester in 2020 while home for Christmas. His mother, Judy Coutinho, 59, said he was living 'his dream life' in Chicago before falling ill.
Ms Coutinho told BBC Radio Manchester that although she had not discussed organ donation with her son, she 'instinctively knew' what he would want. She later discovered he had signed the organ donor register four times. 'I just felt that he would not want his organs not to help other people,' she said.
Since his death, Ms Coutinho has been in contact with some of the recipients' families. She described how a 16-year-old girl who received help was able to celebrate her GCSE results, and a little boy who received part of Alex's liver is doing well. 'It's heartwarming and it just reinforces that it was the right thing to do,' she said.
Ms Coutinho is now supporting an NHS campaign urging people to talk to family about organ donation, highlighting the impact not knowing has on bereaved families. 'It's an incredible gift and legacy to leave if the unthinkable happens,' she said. The campaign follows a change in law in England meaning all adults are considered willing donors unless they opt out, but families are still consulted before donation proceeds.
