When a loved one is facing the end of life, families are often asked to make incredibly difficult decisions. For many, the idea of organ donation brings both hope and uncertainty. We sat down with Morgan Mazzei, BSN, RN, one of our patient experience managers and Frank McClellan from New England Donor Services to talk about the decisions around organ donation.
What does the process look like? How long does it take? And what kind of difference can it truly make?
These are common questions — and important ones.
One of the biggest misconceptions about organ donation is that once the decision is made, everything is over quickly. The process is thoughtful and carefully coordinated to ensure the greatest possible effect.
After a family chooses to move forward with organ donation, the care team begins working to match the donor with recipients. This process takes time - typically 24 to 48 hours, because it involves identifying the best possible matches based on medical need, compatibility, and location. Surgical teams must also be coordinated to ensure each transplant has the highest chance of success.
While that may feel like a long time, especially during an already emotional moment, that time is critical. It allows the care team to honor the donor’s gift in the most meaningful way possible.
Families often wonder what happens after donation — and whether they’ll ever know the outcome.
The answer is yes.
Within a day or two after the procedures, families can receive updates about how the transplants went and how many lives were impacted. In the months that follow, support continues. Many organizations provide ongoing communication, resources, and ways to honor the donor’s legacy, including memorial materials and follow-up care for families.
For some, this connection brings comfort — knowing that their loved one’s legacy continues in the world.
Another common question families ask is: how can someone who is so sick help others?
It’s an understandable concern. The reality is that organ donation helps people in very different circumstances. While the donor may be facing one illness, recipients are often waiting for a specific organ that is no longer functioning — such as a heart, liver, or kidney. A donated organ can give them a second chance at life, even when the donor themselves cannot recover.
In fact, one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation, and even more through tissue donation.
For families who may not have had the chance to talk about organ donation ahead of time, the decision can feel even more difficult. Many express a desire to honor what their loved one would have wanted, especially if that person was someone who cared deeply about helping others.
That’s why having conversations early matters.
Talking about organ donation with loved ones, before a crisis ever happens, can provide clarity and peace of mind. It ensures that, in one of life’s hardest moments, families are not left guessing.
Organ donation is a deeply personal decision. However, for many families, it becomes a way to create meaning, connection, and a lasting legacy — even in the face of loss.
If you are interested in becoming an organ donor, visit https://registerme.org/.