I am a registered organ and tissue donor because I have seen first-hand how lives are impacted along every part of the donation spectrum. I have been the ICU nurse caring for a patient who has suffered catastrophic injuries, explaining to their loved ones that we can no longer save this person’s life, but that they now have the opportunity to save someone else’s. I have witnessed families make the unimaginable, but most heartfelt decision to allow their loved one to donate their organs to someone else in need.
I have had the opportunity to help the Blessing Life Team develop a process to provide a walk of honor for our donation heroes. I have had the honor to be present in the OR when the surgical team takes a moment of silence prior the organ recovery to honor the hero who is about to save so many lives. I have had the privilege of holding the hand of the wife of a donor as we raised a flag in front of the hospital in honor of her and her husband’s gift of life. I have co-workers and friends who I greatly admire because they have suffered tragic losses but have found comfort knowing their loved ones saved and enhanced multiple lives through organ and tissue donation.
In my role as a Nurse Educator, I get to work with Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network to provide donation education to Blessing Health System staff. I am a registered organ and tissue donor in the state of Illinois, and I have ensured that my family knows that I want to help save lives in the event of my passing. I have spent more than a decade trying to save and better the lives of our patients, I want to do the same after my death.
- Shanna Winter, RN, Nursing Professional Development