(Wisconsin Rapids, WI)- At Aspirus Health, the mission to heal extends beyond patient care; sometimes, it means helping families turn loss into hope. Late this winter, Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Hospital had the rare opportunity to facilitate organ donation, a profound act that will change multiple lives. The donor was able to change the lives of four individuals in the Midwest with the gifts of both kidneys, both lungs, and a liver.
Organ donation cases at Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids occur only about once a year, making each instance a testament to the collaboration, compassion, and expertise of the care team. In this recent case, the patient whose family chose to honor their legacy through donation was able to provide life-saving gifts to individuals in critical need.
“We have so few organ donor cases at Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids, which makes these events incredibly rare and meaningful,” said Kim Johnson, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer, Wisconsin Southwest Division, Aspirus Health. “It is our privilege to work alongside our partners at the Organ Procurement Organizations (OPO) to honor the wishes of the donor family and provide a life-saving gift to those in need.”
From the moment the patient’s family made the selfless decision to donate, Aspirus’ intensive care unit (ICU) and the emergency department collaborated with transplant specialists to coordinate the delicate process. Nurses, physicians, and support staff provided compassionate care while guiding the family through this emotional journey. The hospital’s staff played a vital role, offering comfort and ensuring the family’s wishes were honored.
For the recipient families, this act represents a second chance, a moment they may have thought would never come. For the Aspirus team, it is a reminder of the critical role community hospitals play in the broader health care network.
“More than 1,400 people in Wisconsin are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant,” Johnson added. “By choosing to register as an organ donor, one person can save up to eight lives through organ donation, restore sight to two people through cornea donation, and heal more than 75 people through tissue donation.”
Aspirus hospitals, including Wisconsin Rapids, have an agreement with an OPO, and it is their responsibility to notify them when a patient may qualify as an organ donor. The OPO then works closely with the hospital team and the donor’s family to provide support through the entire recovery process.
“Organ donation saves lives,” said Morgan Rose, Registered Nurse at Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Hospital. “The impact of knowing that while we will all ultimately pass, but a piece of us gets to continue to live on through donation makes the hard work we all put into the patient worth it.”
April is National Donate Life Month which raises awareness about the importance of organ donation, Aspirus Health encourages community members to consider registering as organ donors. In honor of National Donate Life Month, many Aspirus hospitals participate in the Donate Life Flag raise that occurs on April 9th. One decision can impact countless lives—something that this recent case at Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids demonstrates firsthand.
For more information about organ donation or to register as a donor, visit.