Choosing to give the Gift of Life

By Larisa Goganzer, MSN, RN, FACHE, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center

Have you made the decision to be a donor? As a nurse, I had long known what a life-saving difference others could have when they made the decision to be organ and tissue donors.

I had met those who received this very special gift of life because of those decisions. Family members of donors told me why they made the decision or behalf of their loved one. Sometimes their parent or sibling had already planned and made their donation wishes known.

Whether they had known the wishes in advance or they made decisions during an unexpected tragedy, most had a similar experience. Knowing their loved ones saved and made others’ lives better was a comfort to them.

I learned from recipients how grateful they were to be alive.

When my father died several years ago, I more fully came to understand what giving the gift of life means. My AtlantiCare colleagues and the Gift of Life team cared for my father with compassion and respect at the end of his life. They also wrapped their arms around my mother, my entire family, and me.

Rachel Bohs, RN, clinical director, Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit, ARMC Atlantic City Campus and Charisse Payne, hospital services coordinator for Gift of Life Donor Program,

recently joined me in thanking those who choose and support the decision to be organ and tissue donors.

During this virtual event for staff, two members of our AtlantiCare team shared their families’ decisions to give the Gift of Life.

Please listen to, and share their beautiful stories.

Have the conversation with your loved ones. Consider being an organ and tissue donor. To learn more or to register to be a donor, visit www.donors1.org.