The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) would like to share the digital copy of the newsletter of our Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE): "Life After Death: Gift of Life Through Organ Donation" For feedback, you may email hope@nkti.gov.ph or call local 4400.

1. LIFE AFTER DEATH
page 1
"Honor Walk"
I-HOPE application
QR CODE for Referral
( G I F T O F L I F E T H R O U G H O R G A N D O N A T I O N )
Human Organ Preservation Effort
National Kidney and Transplant Institute
H O P E N E W S L E T T E R
F I R S T E D I T I O N
I-HOPE: 24/7 Access to NKTI-HOPE
Everyone can now access and get relevant
information from the Human Organ
Preservation Effort (HOPE) by downloading
our newly developed mobile application, I-
HOPE. Through this application, you can sign-
up and register as an organ donor, refer a
possible deceased donor, may view, and
download HOPE official forms for transplant
purposes. An application that improves our
process and may empower our organ donation
advocates and transplant warriors. Download
the free app now!
Refer a Possible Deceased Donor
thru QR code
Doctors and healthcare workers from
different referring hospitals may easily refer
a possible deceased donor by simply
scanning the QR code for a referral. A timely
referral is a key step in maximizing the
donation opportunity.
Accepting death has not been an easy
process. The intense emotions associated
with losing a loved one can cloud
judgment and decision-making. We are
thankful to all the family of our deceased
organ donors who gave their full consent
and by giving the opportunity of “new
life” to others who are suffering from
organ failure.
A consented "honor walk" is being
conducted prior to organ donation to
commemorate and pay respect to the
bravery of our organ donors. The hospital
personnel will line the halls and show
their respect and gratitude by recognizing
the family for their noble decision. The
family may also accompany the patient to
the operating room or ambulance before
the retrieval.
This tribute is also known as "hero's
goodbye", as the donor will be a hero to
someone else's life.
Respect and Tribute to Deceased Organ Donors

2. Transplant Coordinator Conference
L I F E A F T E R D E A T H
page 2
( G I F T O F L I F E T H R O U G H O R G A N D O N A T I O N )
Human Organ Preservation Effort
National Kidney and Transplant Institute
Asian Transplantation Week at Seoul, Korea
The First Transplant Coordinator Conference:
Connecting advocates of organ donation in the Philippines
By Arlene C. Duque MD, FPCS, FPSTS
It is true that the dismal rate of deceased organ donation has been a perennial
problem for the transplant community and it will take years to break all the
roadblocks that this program is currently experiencing. The shortage of deceased
donors will persist to rise as long as a fragmented system will continue to exist in the
country. A self–sufficient system must be in place to cope with respect to our
population's organ needs.
The first transplant coordinator conference is an initiative in finding ways to increase
enthusiasm among unresponsive healthcare professionals and the community for
deceased organ donation.
"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow
men." – Herman Melville.
Successful Retrievals in 2022
Back on Track: Outcomes of Deceased Donor Kidney
Recipients at NKTI during Covid-19 Pandemic
By Jo-Anne Apostol, RN
The Asian Transplantation Week 2022 was held face-to-face for the first
time in 2 years at Conrad Seoul, Seoul, South Korea with 942 pre-
registered participants. In a rare opportunity, a HOPE Transplant
Coordinator was sent to be one of the Philippine delegates at the said
event. The 3-day convention became meaningful as I was able to hear
lectures on advancements in the field of Organ Donation and
Transplantation and deliver a poster presentation of our research paper
entitled, "Back on Track: Outcomes of Deceased Donor Kidney Recipients
at National Kidney and Transplant Institute during the Covid 19
Pandemic."

3. L I F E A F T E R D E A T H
page 3
( G I F T O F L I F E T H R O U G H O R G A N D O N A T I O N )
Human Organ Preservation Effort
National Kidney and Transplant Institute
YOUNGEST DONOR IN THE PHILIPPINES
A MOTHER'S STRENGTH AND LOVE
Three years of life passed on to others. Short but well-lived for the youngest donor we’ve
had since this program started.
Last, November 11, 2022, the courageous parents of a three-year-old boy decided to
donate their son’s organs and tissues after the doctors at St. Luke’s Medical Center
declared him to be brain dead. The Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE) team was
called to help make their decision happen. The retrieval of the donated parts was done at
the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. Both kidneys have been transplanted in a 24-
year-old recipient, and the corneas have been banked at the Eye Bank Foundation of the
Philippines (EBFP).
We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family of our young hero and our
heartfelt appreciation for their brave decision. Thank you for your generosity to help
others despite the painful loss. May God bless your kind hearts all throughout this lifetime.
And to honor our young hero and his family, please help us spread awareness about the
nobility of deceased organ donation. Your words could save lives. Save someone someday
by telling your family you want to be an organ donor. Share your decision and encourage
others to do the same.
Little Big Hero
By Genevieve Joves-Lukban, RN
Our only hope for our dearest Ezra was to live, we did not for one second think that we would
lose him unexpectedly. Ezra was our light, our warmth, and our happiness and we loved him so
much. Since the accident, we used all our finances, 100% trusted in his healthcare team, and
believed and worshipped all the religions just to gather all the strength we can for his recovery.
After exhausting all possible means and he was declared brain-dead twice, we thought really
hard about what we can do to extend his life despite the circumstances. The thought of losing a
child is unbearable, definitely excruciating pain, and a feeling one can never fully explain. We
initiated organ donation through the help of our family who guided our decision. We realized
that this was the only way we can extend his life. This was the only way he can continue to live
on this earth- through others. By donating his viable organs and improving the quality of life of
others and giving them a second chance to see and experience the beauty of life, Ezra lived up
to his name which means “helper” or “helpful”. He is truly heaven-sent, a Hero on earth, now an
Angel in the skies. Though gone too soon, Ezra’s legacy of generosity and love lives on forever.
Message from Ezra's mother

4. L I F E A F T E R D E A T H
page 4
( G I F T O F L I F E T H R O U G H O R G A N D O N A T I O N )
Human Organ Preservation Effort
National Kidney and Transplant Institute
RUN FOR H.O.P.E.
HOPE ADVOCACIES
" W e h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o s a v e l i v e s , n e v e r d e n y i t w i t h a
N O , e v e r y Y E S b r i n g s h o p e … e v e r y d e a t h c r e a t e s L I F E . "
The Event Brought Out of Desire and Faith--
THE RUN FOR H.O.P.E
By Arlene C. Duque MD, FPCS, FPST
The RUN for H.O.P.E. project was only one of H.O.P.E.’s
initiatives to increase the diminished output of deceased
organ donation program in the Philippines, a product of
desire in making a difference and believing that thru faith
nothing is impossible.
We would like to give our sincerest gratitude to all our
sponsors who made this event a tremendously successful
one.
"Desire backed by faith knows no such word as
impossible." – Napoleon Hill
Be the Agent of Change
By Niña Carla Garcia, RN
HOPE believes that through education and awareness, the
deceased organ donation program may be understood by
many. In this regard, we will strive in raising awareness
among health professionals and the public.
For the healthcare professionals, we delivered lectures or
seminars to various hospitals during this year to assess
their understanding and inform them of their key roles in
deceased organ donation. For the public, we set up booths
for organ donor card sign up and promote our i-HOPE
application. Through these efforts, we hope to spread
awareness about the importance of the deceased organ
donation program and make every Filipino an advocate of
deceased organ donation.

5. L I F E A F T E R D E A T H
page 5
( G I F T O F L I F E T H R O U G H O R G A N D O N A T I O N )
Human Organ Preservation Effort
National Kidney and Transplant Institute
HOW TO REFER?
COURTESY CALLS
" W e h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o s a v e l i v e s , n e v e r d e n y i t w i t h a
N O , e v e r y Y E S b r i n g s h o p e … e v e r y d e a t h c r e a t e s L I F E . "
Active Referral Can Maximize Donation Opportunities
By Niña Carla Garcia, RN
Healthcare professionals can immediately refer any patient
with a severe brain injury that meets the following criteria
(see attached photo on the right) thru our unique QR code.
Our transplant coordinator will contact the referring staff and
ask a series of questions to determine the donor's suitability.
Brain dead declaration will be certified by two qualified
physicians after evaluating the potential donor twice, four
hours apart.
HOPE cannot proceed with the process of the consent until
the doctor has fully discussed to the family re the status of
the patient. Prime the legal next of kin without mentioning
organ donation. HOPE is responsible for initiating
conversation and securing consent from the family.
Expanding our Network for Organ Donation
By Niña Carla Garcia, RN
HOPE is continuously working to promote organ
donation in its area of responsibility. We are
delighted that for about a year, we were able to
achieve new collaborations among seventeen (17)
referring hospitals within Metro Manila. These
hospitals have shown great interest and support to
reinforce the program within their staff.
Additionally, we began conducting our routine
rounds at each hospital.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to
all the medical directors, medical center chief, and
head of the service command, for allowing your
institution and take part in the initiative to promote
organ donation.

6. L I F E A F T E R D E A T H
page 6
( G I F T O F L I F E T H R O U G H O R G A N D O N A T I O N )
Human Organ Preservation Effort
National Kidney and Transplant Institute
HOW TO ENLIST?
" W e h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o s a v e l i v e s , n e v e r d e n y i t w i t h a
N O , e v e r y Y E S b r i n g s h o p e … e v e r y d e a t h c r e a t e s L I F E . "
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
DATA ON NATIONAL WAITING LIST