The Gift of Life: Can the Organ Procurement Philosophies from Spain and Iran Help Eliminate the Organ Shortage in the United States?

Abstract

Drake was only four years old when tragedy struck.2 After an unfortunate accident following a day in the pool with his family, he was rushed to the hospital for emergency care.3 Five days later, Drake’s parents and siblings received his grave prognosis.4 Their son and brother’s “fate had been determined[, so his family] worked to help someone else’s fate.”5 Being healthcare providers themselves, and understanding the importance of doing so, Drake’s parents immediately opted to gift his organs.6 Drake ultimately gave the gift of life to two individuals who had been undergoing dialysis while patiently awaiting kidneys; one of the recipients was a father of four, much like Drake’s own father.7 His parents later reflected that, in the face of this untimely heartbreak, they had to decide how they would handle the situation: “We decided to allow our tragedy to be someone else’s miracle.”8 But not everyone makes this decision when given the opportunity. In fact, there are currently more than 121,000 patients on the transplant waiting lista number that grows daily.9 The men, women, and children on this list