A Letter from the New England Organ Bank

The following letter was sent to Eastern Maine Medical Center's Emergency Room Staff on July 11, 2005, three weeks after Jina's death.

New Engalnd Organ Bank

July 11, 2005

Emergency Department Staff

Eastern Maine Medical Center

489 State Street

Bangor, ME 04401

Dear Emergency Department Staff,

On behalf of the New Engalnd Organ Bank, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your help in the care of the recent organ donor. As you may recall, this donor was struck by a car, deteriorated neurologicallly and progressed to brain death. As a result of your help, as well as her family's generous decision to donate, many people now have a second chance at life.

I would like to take this opportunity to share the information on those who now share in Jina's life thorugh organ donation.

This young lady's liver was transplanted into a 51 year old gentleman from New England. He suffered from Hepatitis which destroyed his liver. He has been married for 18 years and has one daughter. He works as a carpenter and owns his own hardware store. His hobbies include carpentry and traveling. His transplant went very well and his new liver had immediate function. He was discharged from the hospital a mere 8 days after transplant. He would like his donor family to know that he is very grateful for this second chance and extends his sympathy on their loss.

This young lady's right kidney was transplanted into a 45 year old gentleman from New England. Prior to his transplant he was too sick to work and was on disability. He is divorced and has a significant other. He has two children ages 16 and 21. He enjoys fishing. His transplant went very well and his new kidney is working wonderfully. He has been discharged from the hospital and is now home doing great. He would like his donor family to know that he is very grateful and appreciates this prescious gift.

This young lady's left kidney was transplanted into a 52 year old gentleman from New England. He suffered from Lupus Nephritis which destroyed his kidney function. Prior to his transplant he was too sick to work and was disabled. He worked as a state inspector before becoming too sick to work. He is divorced and has 2 children a daughter who is 25 and a son who is 12. He enjoys walking, going to the beach, riding his bicycle and watching his son's sports. He states, "I am very, very grateful. It's a wonderful gift to give to someone".

I had the opportunity to go to the viewing and speak with her parents and grandparents. They cried tears of joy as I gave them information about the recipients. They also expressed their sincere gratitutde not only for the wonderful care their daughter received but the care they all received.

Thank you for everything you did to help make donation a possiblity for this family. Without your care and support, donation would not be an option for the donor families or recipients. If you should have any questions or if I can do anything further to assist you, please feel free to contact me.

Kindest Regards,

Laura Heckestein, RN, CPTC

New England Organ Bank