As a donor sister and a transplant recipient, I know the importance of the role of nurses in the organ donation process.  For many families, such as mine, the death of a loved one is often the first time they think about organ donation. We find ourselves in the middle of a difficult process at the worst possible time in our lives. That experience can be a positive, uplifting experience or it can be a waking nightmare depending on the knowledge and experience of the nursing staff and depending on how well they work with the OPO staff.  I've met other donor family members and for many of them the process was easy and "seamless."  My family didn't have that experience (in another state), but organ donation is the only blessing that came from my brother's death.

It's also important to me to know that when my time comes, my nursing staff will do what they can to uphold my wish to be a donor. I've made this decision for myself and if I can be a donor, then I want to know that my nursing staff will do everything necessary to respect my wishes and, if possible, to make that happen for me.

Please include Organ Donation Education in the Virginia curriculum for nurses so this important piece will become a standard continuum of care for all Virginians.  An educated nurse will make a difference for their patients, their patients' families and for the hundred thousand patients who wait for a transplant.

Thank you,  Patti Dean