Story of Hope

Mark Cook

Organ Donor Hero

Mark Cook, 26, from Hoonah, Alaska, is remembered for his desire to help others. As a child, the elders nicknamed Mark “Baby Eagle” as he danced with them for hours. As he grew older and stronger, he would chop firewood for those who needed the extra help. He was also a talented musician and loved to play guitar. Early in his career as a young adult, Mark worked as an EMT — and that’s when he formally registered himself as an organ donor. He recognized the power we all possess to save lives when we’re no longer here.

When Mark died, his kind heart made headlines. It was flown 2,500 nautical miles from Juneau to Boston to save another man’s life — the farthest a heart had ever traveled for transplant. He saved two more people with the donation of his kidneys.

“It was really cool to know that his heart flew the farthest than any other donation,” said Mark’s mom Jodee Schrock. “It’s just the first of many lives that will be possible to save. I was thinking about that during the storm [of grief] and said ‘Kid, you’re still doing great stuff after you’re gone.’”