To the Editor:
To my dear colleagues, on behalf of the New Jersey Sharing Network (NJSN), I would like to thank you for your support of the donation process involving a patient from the ICU on Jan. 7. This donor’s family made the generous decision to donate her organs to help change the lives of others.
Without the cooperation of the entire healthcare team, those waiting for transplants would not be given a second chance at life. NJSN is acutely aware of the vast amount of time and resources required in the donation process. The skill and expertise of your entire team assured viable organs for transplant. Share this letter with those involved in the care of this patient.
I am very happy to report that the following transplants have taken place as a result of your efforts.
This patient’s heart is now beating in a 57-year-old gentleman from New Jersey. He is the father of four children. In his spare time, he enjoys working out at the gym, research, yard work and home improvements. He had been listed for a heart transplant in November 2011. The transplant center reports that his new heart had immediate function and he is making a full recovery.
One of this patient’s kidneys was transplanted into a 61-year-old woman from New York. She is the mother of one child and is employed as a pre-k teacher for the New York City Board of Education. Her family and her church group were her main supports during the transplant process. Her kidneys had failed due to polycystic kidney disease. She had been on the waiting list for a kidney transplant since March 2010. Her new kidney had immediate function and is making a full recovery.
The patient’s other kidney was transplanted into a 65-year-old woman, also from New York. She is the mother of one child. Her kidneys had failed due to diabetes. She had been on the transplant list since March 2010. The transplant center reports that her new kidney had immediate function and she is also making a full recovery.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact me at (551) 689-3507 or pgutierrez@njsharingnetwork.org. Thank you again for your support of the donation process. We could not have done this without you!
PAULA A. GUTIERREZ
MHA
Hospital Service Manager