Mid-America Transplant Services

Christopher Vieth

In the fall of 1990, our oldest son Christopher was a sophomore at Washington University. On a Friday afternoon in October he was hit by a car while crossing Skinker on his way to Forest Park. He was taken to Barnes Hospital as a John Doe since he carried no identification. We learned from his roomates that he was missing but did not locate him until the next day. At the hospital the ICU physician gently explained to us that Christopher had suffered severe head trauma and would not recover. How long he would survive was unsure, but he would not live. We spent the rest of the day in the ICU with our other four children, waiting for updates from the doctor.

The following day we arrived at the ICU early in the morning and were met by a representative of Mid-America Transplant Services. He explained that Christopher had probably suffered brain death during the night and that tests were being done to verify that. He had been with Christopher all night and wanted to ask us if we would consider organ donation. Our first consideration was whether or not it was a moral thing to do. In a world in which there is much controversy over some medical procedures, we as Catholics wanted to know what our church taught about transplantation. He assured us that the Catholic Church encouraged donation, as did all major Christian denominations.

He likewise explained other things we haven't even thought of. Organ donation would not prevent an open casket since there would be no disfigurement. In addition, we would not incur any expenses for the donation. Recipients would pay for any financial costs. He explained to us that we could take as much time as we needed to say good-by to our son. Finally, he assured us that he himself would accompany Christopher's body into the operation room when the organs were retrieved to assure that everything would be done with dignity. We consented to the donation and waited for confirmation of brain death.

Christopher was officially declared dead around 11:30 a.m. that morning of October 7, 1990. Altogether we were able to donate his heart, liver, two kidneys, two corneas and bone tissue.

Two days later, we were approached at the funeral parlor by a physician friend who told us that his colleague's patient had received our son's heart. He was thanking us for our gift and we cried tears of joy that someone now was alive because of our gift. We received a letter from MTS about ten days later that thanked us for our donation and gave a brief description of each recipient and an update on how each was doing. We have never received a letter from the recipients, but we believe all are fine except for the liver recipient who died within a month of the transplant.

We can now look at our decision with the perspective of time and see the long-term effects it has had on our family. We are at peace with that decision and have several observations:
1) Priorities and attitudes can change for a potential donor family. Some people think they could never consider donation, but when a family is face to face with life and death, there is value in knowing that organ donation can save another family from going through a similar tragedy.
2) Our surviving children are proud of our decision. They have written term papers and given class speeches on organ donation because they know what a wonderful gift it can be. They miss their brother but are glad that other families still have their loved ones.
3) We would encourage recipients to write to their donor families. A thank you note or letter means so much to a family that has consented to donation. Of course they will cry, but there is great consolation knowing that another family still has their loved one.
4) If the hospital staff does not allow a family to be approached with a request for donation, in essence the staff is making the decision for that family. When the question is not asked, there is no donation. The family has the right to make the decision themselves and needs to be approached with great care in order to make the right decision for themselves.
5) The decision whether or not to donate gives the family some control at a time when they have no control over anything. In reality it is the one decision that only they can make.
6) Donation enhances the healing process. Knowing that some good came out of their tragedy gives the donor family something to hold on to during the grieving process.
7) Society in many instances has devalued life. Donation overlooks race, religion and social status and helps a family appreciate the Gift of Life that has been given to each human being.
8) From a donor family perspective, MTS does a superb job of caring for grieving families. Support groups are available to assist individuals and families. In addition MTS encourages people to volunteer to promote organ donation, which in turn assists individuals and families in dealing with their grief.
9) Over time donation can help bring closure to a tragic death in a donor family.

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