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In This Issue:
When Suellen Canfield suffered a cerebral hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm in 2001, BWH neurosurgeons told her husband Bob that, despite every attempt to save her, the outlook was bleak. The news shocked Suellen’s family, who described her as a vivacious and healthy 63-year-old who lived for spending time with her three grandchildren.
It was a nurse who gave the Canfields the first indication that some good could emerge from their tragedy. After a multidisciplinary team meeting, the nurse asked if Bob Canfield would consider donating his wife’s organs. “My son, daughter and I immediately agreed it was the right thing to do,” Canfield said. “Suellen really loved people, and if this could help someone, why wouldn’t we do it?”
After Suellen died, the Canfields’ decision proved miraculous for several people who received these organs and tissues, including her liver, kidneys, pancreas, corneas and skin.
“Donors have the potential to save seven other people’s lives,” Galen Henderson, MD, director of the Division of Critical Care and Emergency Neurology and medical director of the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, said. “The donor families are true heroes. They’re the ones who make this life-saving decision amidst grief and distress.”
To support families during this difficult time, a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains, in collaboration with the New England Organ Bank, makes sure families are approached with sensitivity and respect and that their wishes are fulfilled.
“Everything is done to make sure a patient survives,” said Shaun Golden, BSN, RN, CNRN, nurse manager of the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, where the majority of donors come from because of the nature of their injuries. “If, despite every effort, the patient will not survive, we regroup and see what the options are to help the family through this difficult time.”
Communication among the social worker, nurse, physician and chaplain is crucial to helping families deal with end-of-life issues, including organ donation. “The hallmark of our work with the New England Organ Bank is collaborating to provide optimal medical, psychosocial and spiritual care in the final phase of life,” Martha Burke, MSW, LICSW, director of Social Work and Clinical Services, said.
That includes helping the family understand the process of organ donation.
“We answer families’ questions and support them in every step,” said Kathleen Gallivan, PhD, director of Chaplaincy. “People sometimes want to know whether organ donation is in accordance with their religious beliefs, and we provide them with the information they need to make their decision.”
Families often find comfort in knowing they have saved someone else’s life. “What continues to astound me is that families in the darkest moments of their lives make a decision to donate an organ or tissues to help another human being survive,” Burke said.
For Bob Canfield, a letter he received one year after his wife’s death confirmed he made the right decision. One of Suellen’s organs enabled another grandparent to watch his grandchildren grow up—a fitting tribute to Suellen, a devoted grandmother. The letter was from a man named Roger, the recipient of Suellen’s liver.
“Through the grace of God, your loss was not in vain. Your gift has given me life,” Roger wrote. “Both of my grandsons are thrilled to have me attend all of their baseball games, one in tee-ball and the other in Little League. I am truly grateful to be able to see them play.”
What can you do?
Nationwide, 89,000 Americans are awaiting an organ transplant. Because of a tragic shortage of organs, nearly 6,600 people die each year waiting for a transplant, according to the New England Organ Bank.
You can help save lives by deciding to become an organ and tissue donor. Sign up with the Registry of Motor Vehicles upon license renewal, sign a donor card, include a consent to donate in a health care proxy form or will and let your family and friends know of your wishes. Donor cards are available online at www.organdonor.gov or through the New England Organ Bank at www.neob.org