Conversation Starters about Organ & Tissue Donation

February 7 OTS Meeting Recap

The election for OTS Board members was completed at the OTS membership meeting on February 7, 2025. Here is a recap of the educational segment of the meeting.

Conversation Starters About Organ and Tissue Donations

Featuring Stacy Connell of the organ procurement organization (OPO) LiveOnNY

Stacy has twenty years of service in the field, serving as Family Support Advocate—helping families during their most vulnerable moment and helping them throughout the donation process; and now works as Senior Manager of Volunteer Services.   She agreed to speak to OTS folks at the behest of Irene Faith Purdie, the OTS Recording Secretary.

Stacy said that in talking about transplantation, there are different ways to engage with different people, whether friends, family or strangers.  She advised, “remember that this is a learning process.  Everyone has a different learning curve.”  People may have heard of transplantation but don’t know much or maybe have false information.   “Focus on having accurate information. Talk to your local OPO (organ procurement organization, such as the Gift of Hope).”

What Not to Do:

1.     Don’t come on too hard; don’t be aggressive.  It’s most important to leave the person “feeling good.”  They may not remember a lot of facts, but they’ll remember how they felt.

2.     Don’t show surgical scars—not everyone can handle this.  Be mindful of those nearby, also.  Don’t go into gory details.

3.     Be alert:  engage with the other person via eye contact and your body language.  For example, don’t stand with crossed arms, which keeps people away.

4.     As the person talks, refine your approach.  Follow their interests.  For example, don’t respond to a religious question with a different topic.

5.     Be yourself!  Share your story, briefly.  People connect to stories.  Also, it’s great to share a little about your donor (if you know them)—how someone gave the gift of life. Remember, transplants are not an ordinary topic of conversation.  You can share something that is inspirational: “One person can save up to 8 lives.”  (The local OPO can supply recent statistics and handouts.  Handouts help because the person can see the source of your information and also share the handouts with others).

Convey the sense of URGENCY:  with information about the waiting list in your region, and how many die waiting for an organ

Use open-ended questions.  For example, “What do you know about organ donation?  What questions do you have?  Do you know someone on dialysis, or someone who is waiting for a transplant?”

General Tips

Be supportive; offer to help with registration or share contact information about the regional OPO.  If they are already registered, urge them to share this decision with their loved ones.

If they know someone who is a transplant recipient or a donor family member, encourage them to get involved at their comfort level.  The OPO can identify volunteer opportunities.  Give them online hashtags or websites.  “The more people who hear about transplantation, the more people can make an informed decision, Stacy said.

If they are “on the fence,” ask open-ended questions about their concerns.  You can answer with information or anecdotes.  Stacy shared that there was information which was new to her; for example, at first, she thought that all registered donors always became donors.  She did not know that DONORS MUST BE ON VENTILATORS.  “Point them to the OPO website” for accurate information, she advised.

And if they are opposed, don’t be insistent.  Don’t get them angry.  “You are planting a seed,” she said.  “Maybe later they’ll encounter someone and then think differently.  Remember it’s how you leave them feeling.  Thank them for their time and direct them to the OPO website.”

In addition, Stacy addressed some misconceptions that folks might have about transplants.

      “Doctors won’t work as hard to save my life” - All hospitals, doctors and other medical staff are legally obligated to save lives.  Doctors who treat patients are NOT affiliated with any OPO.

·      “Transplantation is against my religion.” -All major religions celebrate organ donation as a way to save lives.  This includes Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.  It is seen as extending BLESSING, as a final act of generosity and kindness.  In 2014, Pope Francis noted that organ donation is a “testimony of love for our neighbor.”

·      “I’m too old/too sick to donate”-There is no age limit for organ & tissue donation.  When a patient dies, the transplant coordinator makes a medical assessment about which organs can be safely transplanted.

·      “A normal funeral is not possible”-Donation is done with utmost respect, with bodily integrity.  A person who donates every organ can still have a full viewing/open casket funeral.  OPOs work closely with families regarding burial arrangements.

·      “My family will have to pay for donation”-Donor families don’t pay ANYTHING.  Transplant recipients are covered by medical insurance.

·      “The rich and famous go first”-ONLY medical and logistical factors are used in the matching process.  This process is heavily regulated. 

Finally, Stacy reminded the group that STORIES inspire, whether the story is about a donor family or recipient.  People hear a story and feel the emotion. 

“Keep stories short and easy to understand.  Don’t use medical jargon,” she concluded.  “Reference your donor and share from the heart.”

The meeting included some remarks by Julie Gilmartin, representing Gift of Hope (the OPO for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana).  A question-and-answer period followed.

Organ Transplant Support sincerely thanks Stacy Connell for this fascinating presentation at the membership meeting on February 7, 2025.