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.

1. Kaiser Permanente, Northern California
Caritas in Action
How 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

2. 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.
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3. 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.
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4. 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.
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5.  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.
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Bookmark for Donor Families

6. Click to edit Master title style
Michael’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.

7. 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.
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The Story Never Ends

8. 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.
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9. 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
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Donate Life Flag Program: Spiritual & Emotional
Support for Donor Families

10. Page 10
Donate Life Flag Program: Spiritual & Emotional
Support for Donor Families