The Gift that Heals: Stories of hope, renewal and transformation through organ and tissue donation [Paperback]

Reg Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2007

The stories in this book are about life coming out of death. A police officer, left for dead in a hail of bullets, can golf and fish again; a woman, whose lungs were at one time so diseased that she was dependent on oxygen, has since climbed 5,000 feet to the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park carrying a 25-pound backpack; a man who was fighting for his life went on to become an Olympic champion. On one side, they tell of transplanted human organs and tissue transforming lives and, on the other, the inspiring selflessness of the families who donated them at the bleakest moment of their lives. The Gift that Heals is published jointly by United Network for Organ Sharing (www.unos.org) and the Nicholas Green Foundation (www.nicholasgreen.org). It was written by Reg Green, the father of a seven-year-old California boy, Nicholas, who was shot in an attempted robbery while the family was on vacation in Italy. The story captured the imagination of the world when he and his wife, Maggie, donated their son?s organs and corneas to seven Italians. United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the non-profit membership organization that administers the U.S. organ sharing system and focuses on increasing organ donation through technology, education and research. In 2001, UNOS created the National Donor Memorial (www.donormemorial.org) to celebrate and thank America?s organ and tissue donors and their families. For information on registering to become an organ and tissue donor, please go to the Donate Life America website (www.donatelife.net) or call 800-355-7427.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

?Reg Green has a powerful story of his own concerning the agony and the ecstasy that is the world of organ transplantation. But the strength of "The Gift That Heals: Stories of Hope, Renewal and Transformation Through Organ and Tissue Donation," is that Green has presented us with a multitude of portraits -- reminding readers that the need is great, the choices painstaking, the rewards priceless. It is about everyday people and their confrontations at the confluence of life and death -- a most remarkable achievement.? -- James Hill, managing editor, The Washington Post Writers Group... ?When Reg Green?s son was murdered he might have been expected to retreat into grief; a bitter, diminished man condemned to a life haunted by the boy who was not there. Instead, he has worked tirelessly to promote organ donation. "This is a book about those who have received and given the gift of life and there is a golden light in it. Green has a skill with words and the journalist?s knack for making a story compelling. The book is a celebration of life; of decency; of hope; of a little boy, and his father?s commitment.? -- Llewellyn King, syndicated columnist and PBS talk show host. "Here are the faces behind organ donation: devastated families who, instead of turning inward in bitterness and despair, find the compassion to help others in desperate need, and organ recipients, who once at death?s door, now run marathons, start families and resume their careers. Their stories are riveting." -- Robert Kiener, Reader's Digest. "Reg Green probably knows as much as anybody on the planet about the rich, heartbreaking and transcendent realm of organ donation. He is also a fine, careful journalist and this combination makes this a most compelling and inspirational collection." -- Stephanie Salter, syndicated columnist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse Pub; 1st edition (November 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143435069X
• ISBN-13: 978-1434350695
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #771,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gift that Heals -- a biased review..., January 22, 2008

By 

Steven G. Ferkau (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gift that Heals: Stories of hope, renewal and transformation through organ and tissue donation (Paperback)

This review is biased, because I'm in this book -- I'm part of chapter 19, "Lung recipient runs up skyscraper"... I'm the one running up the skyscraper. But, I share this chapter with my donor's precious family, and the beautiful lady who has her heart.

I made the leap of faith that my story was going to be the most wonderful one there -- then I sat in our local coffee shop with the staff and patrons wondering about my sanity as I switched back and forth between an ear-to-ear grin and tears streaming over my cheeks... There are so many wonderful stories in this book -- perhaps more wonderfuller than mine -- about donors and donor families, living donors, recipients of all organs and tissues, and the medical people who save our lives and help donor families with their choices.

Reg Green did an incredible job helping people tell their stories, just as he did a beautiful job telling the world about his precious son, Nicholas Green, in "The Nicholas Effect". There are over 40 little vignettes -- amazing stories of strength and courage and fear and love. Mostly love.

This book shows how organ donors, living or deceased, and donor families are heroes to the people they save, and to their families and loved ones. It shows why the choice to be an organ donor is so very special and meaningful.

Steve Ferkau
Chicago, IL

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it, love it!, June 26, 2008

By 

scientific mom - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gift that Heals: Stories of hope, renewal and transformation through organ and tissue donation (Paperback)

I ordered this book after deciding to donate my father's organs. He and my mother were hit by a drunk driver - mom died instantly so we couldn't donate hers, but dad lingered in a coma for 10 days before having a massive stroke, and was declared brain dead.
This book includes short stories about organ donation from all sides. Some are the donor families, some are the recipients, some even from transplant coordinators, physicians, and pilots (who move the organs). All together, you can piece together the miracle whirlwind of donation from start to finish. It's an amazing accomplishment to pull-off in less than 24 hours in most cases!
I am closing in on a year since donating from my father, and preparing to meet one of the recipients. I can't wait to hear about the excitment her family had that day - "come to the hospital, we have a liver for you!!!" - as we were signing the donation papers. This book has given me an idea of what THEY went through.
I hungrily wait for a volume 2 of this book!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Gift that Heals, April 15, 2008

By 

Betty Boop "Karen" (New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gift that Heals: Stories of hope, renewal and transformation through organ and tissue donation (Paperback)

Before I read this book I found myself in a dilema on whether I wanted to donate my organs when I die. I was initially against it but after reading this I now have a different outlook! The stories are all sad but true to your heart which screams out this is the most sensible thing any human being can share with someone they never knew. Most of the time I was on the verge of or actually crying, I now know this is the right thing for me to do. It's amazing how families of both come together as one, as well as learn from each other. I never would have known that this book would change from view of being a donor forever.