Gift of Life: Behind the Scenes of Donor Organ Retrieval: The Reality Behind Donor Organ Retrieval - Softcover

In her account of her time putting together organ and tissue procurement from deceased donors in 152 hospitals, Graf, 43, imparts some of the medical finesse required to deal with the complexities of transplant, and heart-wrenching recollections of cases that remain with her.--Barbara Turnbull"Toronto Star" (03/18/2017) Drawing on her experience as a transplant coordinator, the author leads the reader through the modern world of organ transplants. Even in states like New Jersey where the law strongly encourages donation, demand for organs will always be much larger than the supply, and the time critical nature of organ harvesting places additional pressures on those involved, from recipients, medical staff and the soon-to-be-bereaved. Although the work begins clinically with the definition of brain death, the author acknowledges that the process is inherently emotional, presenting ethical quandaries even professionals may struggle with. These issues are explored through a series of anecdotes, and while the author is clearly on the pro-donation side, the book does not shortchange the challenges [faced by] the families of the donors. The author's prose is straightforward and clear; professional jargon does not sabotage clarity. The context is quite specific, not just American but East Coast, but Graf does a competent job of using particular experiences to fuel larger conversation. One flaw may be the book's brevity. At just over 200 pages, there are profound limitations to the depth to which the author can explore the issues; some readers may come away wanting more.-- (03/24/2014) Seriously, the book should be read by anyone contemplating becoming an organ donor, any of the 121,274 folks waiting on the transplant list, or family and friends of the former. Scratch that, this book should be read by anyone looking to make a lasting gift... With Graf's intense review of the transplant procurement and transition process we are allowed to contemplate the feelings of organ recipients, organ donor families, and even occasionally, the clinical staff.-- (02/16/2014)

'Organ transplants are a very controversial and unique area of medicine. Those of us who work as Transplant Coordinators were frequently referred to by hospital staff as 'organ vultures' behind our backs, but also many times within earshot. I felt this reference to extremely ugly birds was unfair and short sighted. I did say once in a while to a difficult staff person, 'if your kid needed a transplant wouldn't you hope that someone was out there being as ethically aggressive about finding an organ as they can?' That usually shut them up quickly.' - from the Foreword. One of the miracles of modern medicine is the ability of surgeons to transplant organs. Often, it's the only way to save the life of a person whose own kidneys, lungs, liver or heart are failing. But with barely 2% of critically ill patients suitable for organ donation, the demand far exceeds the number of organs that become available. The Gift of Life is about the remarkable world of organ transplant coordinators, profiles of the men and women who locate and arrange for the donation of organs from those who are dying and wish to live on in others' bodies through this selfless gift. Traci Graf tells the riveting story of this unique and demanding branch of medicine. Transplant coordinators review the medical files and charts on all patients whose condition is so severe that they are not expected to live. Their task is to convince the patient (or the patient's family) to allow organs to be donated immediately upon death. The transplant coordinator works to saves lives by finding and obtaining consent for as many organ donations as possible. In The Gift of Life, transplant coordinator Traci Graf recounts the stress, drama and joy of working long hours dealing with emotionally distraught family members and overworked medical staff, and the emotional toll of a job that means the difference between life and death for the recipients. Packed with riveting first person narrative, The Gift of Life will appeal to anyone interested in modern medical practice and the lives and challenges faced by nurses and doctors who work to offer critically ill patients the gift of life thanks to donors' foresight and generosity.