Donate Life Flag Program: Spiritual and Emotional support for Donor Families

Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

Caritas in ActionHow Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our

patients and their families exceptional care

Caritas Consortium 2014

Donate Life Flag Program:Spiritual and Emotional Support for Donor Families

Honoring Health, Healing & Wholeness

Our Story Begins

• April 2013, a young 21-year old man named Michael was admitted

to our facility with a catastrophic event.

• Michael was well loved by both his family and friends.

• After a week with us, Michael was declared brain dead after

suffering a stroke.

• This was a traumatic event for his parents to understand; yet when

his sister and friends informed them that Michael had registered his

wish to be an organ donor, they honored his wishes.

• Michael was a Youth Minister on his college campus and over 200

students traveled by campus bus to visit him and to say goodbye.

Donate Life Flag

As April is the Donate Life month, KP Redwood City was flying the ‘Donate Life’ flag in front of the hospital.

When the family saw the flag from the window of our ICU unit, they asked us, ‘Is this flag flying in honor of Michael?’ We said, ‘Yes!’

The family ~ Michael’s father, mother, sister and his girlfriend ~ all quickly ran down to the front of the hospital to take a picture of the flag and to capture a final and lasting memory with Michael. This scene was quite emotional and brought many staff to tears.

Idea Becomes Reality

Witnessing and feeling the reaction of deep emotion and comfort Michael’s family experienced with the donor flag acknowledgement, an idea was born.

This story touched everyone involved in Michael’s care. When our Chief Nursing Officer heard about the idea, she supported the program fully, presented it to Redwood City Executive Committee and received senior leadership approval from both TPMG and KFH to start this practice.

Now, whenever KP RWC has a patient who becomes a donor, we raise the ‘Donate Life’ flag in their honor as a tribute to them and their family.

We developed a bookmark that we give to all family members. It includes a picture of the flag flying with this wording:

“Donate life flag will be flying for you and your loved one during this time of courage and selflessness. Your decision to donate has saved and connected more lives.”

Families experience overwhelming gratitude for this gesture of such respect and support offered to them and their loved one.

Bookmark for Donor Families

Click to edit Master title styleMichael’s Legacy

Two people received the gift of life:A 58 year-old married man from Southern California received a new right kidney. He waited 5 months for this life-saving transplant. He is recovering and doing well.

A 66 year-old married man from Central California received a new left kidney. He is recovering and doing well.

He was also able to donate bone, skin, corneas and a heart valve.

KP RWC has raised this flag in donor recognition numerous times since April 2013.

Each event makes us realize that we are practicing caring science by honoring the patients’ wishes with dignity.

It also embodies Caritas by giving visible support to the family in their healing process and aids their return to wholeness.

The Story Never Ends

Donate Life Flag Program: Spiritual & Emotional Support for Donor Families

Intent to Contribute Statement:

Story of how the death of a young man inspired a new practice to fly the Donate Life flag every time

there is a patient who becomes a donor.

In April 2013, a young 21-year old man named Michael was admitted to our facility with a catastrophic event. Within a week, Michael suffered a stroke and died.

This was a traumatic event for his parents to understand; yet when his sister and friends informed them that Michael had registered his wish to be an organ donor, they honored his wishes.

As April is the Donate Life month, KP Redwood City was flying the ‘Donate Life’ flag in front of the hospital. When the family saw the flag from the window of our ICU unit, they asked us, ‘Is this flag flying in honor of Michael?’ We said, ‘Yes!’.

Witnessing and feeling the reaction of deep emotion and comfort Michael’s family experienced with the donor flag acknowledgement, an idea was born to raise the ‘Donate Life’ flag every time we have a patient who becomes a donor.

As a tribute to Donor and family, we developed a bookmark that we give to all family members. It

includes a picture of the flag flying with this wording:

Donate life flag will be flying for you and your loved one during this time of courage and selflessness.

Your decision to donate has saved and connected more lives.

Inspired Contributor(s) : Cathy Parker Nora Tam Laura C Cellini – Donation Program Consultant (CTDN)

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Service Area: San Mateo

Medical Center: RWC

Affiliation: PCS

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Year Shared: 2014

Venue: Caritas Consortium

Format: Podium, Art Gallery

ID #: N/A

Keyword TAGs: Identifier

Consortium2014-June, San Mateo, Redwood City, Podium, Art Gallery, Patient Care Services, Adult Services

Hospital Initiatives, Healing Environments, Patients/Families

Descriptor Caring Moment, Death & Dying


Donate Life Flag Program: Spiritual and Emotional support for Donor Families

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Donate Life Flag Program: Spiritual and Emotional support for Donor Families