Recent New York Times Story 

The New York Times recently published an article raising concerns about select organ donation cases around the country. The story describes patient safety incidents and organ recoveries that had to be stopped after patients were not properly declared deceased by hospitals. We are closely monitoring this narrative, as maintaining safety, trust, and transparency in the donation system here in Colorado and Wyoming is our top priority.    

The donation process is complex and involves multiple healthcare professionals, including hospital medical personnel, Donor Alliance staff and transplant surgeons and staff working in tandem. Each team adheres to a strict and specific set of protocols that guide the donation process from start to finish, ensuring patients are appropriate candidates for donation before proceeding. Each person in the operating room understands and follows their distinct responsibilities, and Donor Alliance does not proceed with donation until the hospital team has declared death using strict guidelines and safeguards.  

Depictions of OPOs pressuring hospitals to remove ventilator support or attempting to influence treatment decisions do not reflect the stringent protocols followed by Donor Alliance.  

The US donation and transplantation system is built on public trust and altruism, and we believe that education and transparency around these topics is crucial to preserving that trust in our nation’s system. Donor Alliance remains committed to honoring our donors and their decisions, safeguarding the gifts of these donor heroes, and helping save as many lives as possible. The greatest respect for life drives us – both the lives of patients and the lives of potential transplant recipients.  

Should you have any questions regarding organ donation or Donor Alliance’s practices, please do not hesitate to contact our Director of PR/Communications, Cheryl Talley: ctalley@donoralliance.org.