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A 38-year-old heart transplant recipient, with his 8-year-old son by his side, told families of organ and tissue donors at BWH what the gift of organ donation meant to him and his family.
“It was very moving for these families to hear such a personal account of a young father and the gift of life he received,” said Kathleen Gallivan, PhD, director of Chaplaincy.
That testimonial was part of the second annual organ donor remembrance service hosted by BWH Social Work and Chaplaincy with the New England Organ Bank. About 30 family members attended the April 29 service in Carrie Hall, an event that enabled them to honor their loved ones and share their own stories with others who had gone through a similar experience.
“One man, whose wife passed away suddenly of a heart attack, spoke about how he was unaware of his wife’s wish to be a donor,” said Terry Sirois, LICSW, of Social Work. “He talked about how he initially was against donation, but realized the importance and value of the gift his wife wanted to make to potential recipients, who wait and hope for the chance to continue their lives.”
Throughout the ceremony, a slideshow of pictures of organ and tissue donors played to the song “To Where You Are,” by Josh Groban. A reception gave families the chance to speak with and support each other.
Galen Henderson, MD, director of the Neuroscience ICU, spoke of the courage and generosity of organ and tissue donors. “The families of donors also are heroes,” he said. “It is during their own darkest hours with grief that they make the difficult decision to give life to others.”