The family services coordinator with the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA), Jamie Yetter, sat down with Dr. Gloria Horsley to discuss organ donation. Families and organ donation is a tricky subject. As a chaplain, Yetter gets referrals from hospitals about someone who potentially is an organ donor. Yetter goes on-site to see if the patient really is a potential donor. She then works with the physician and medical team to find out the plan of action. Most importantly, when appropriate, she begins to support and accompany the family through end of life care and organ donation.

Her role was created because donor families had been asking for a professional to advocate for them—and be with them in this very stressful situation. Her job is to be a companion and meet their needs, even if they choose not to donate. “We do everything we can to give families time to make that decision,” she says. An aftercare program gives families support and resources from others who have been in the same situation.

Commemorating Your Loved One through a Legacy

Many people say yes to donation because it’s a way to give a gift, contribute, and create a legacy. It lets someone they love keep on living in someone else. Organ donation can be a fantastic healing tool to an entire family. However, it can also be a scary and overwhelming process. Talking to medical professionals about the process can leave families more confused than ever.

Yetter bridges the gap between the medical world and families. She’s available to answer any and all questions, simply be there, and help families choose the best route of action for them—even if that action is nothing at all.