Honoring the Yes: Supporting Families in Authorized but Not Recovered (ANR) Donation Cases
Tuesday, June 16 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm• EST
As DCD cases continue to rise, so too does the number of families who give consent for organ donation but are ultimately unable to proceed with recovery. These authorized but not recovered (ANR) cases present a unique challenge — one that calls for thoughtful family support, resilient staff, and intentional organizational practices. This webinar brings together OPO professionals to examine how organizations are supporting families beyond the moment of authorization and beyond the hospital stay, while continuing to honor and celebrate the gift of consent regardless of outcome. The session will also explore how internal language and framing shape the way teams communicate about ANR cases, and how organizations can cultivate a sustained sense of purpose and meaning for both families and staff in these complex situations.
Identify at least two strategies organizations can implement to support ANR families beyond the hospital stay, including approaches for honoring the decision to donate regardless of recovery outcome.
Evaluate how internal language and framing, such as the use of terms like “donor,” “donor in spirit,” or “hero”, influence the experience of ANR families.
Identify best practices in supporting families who initiate donation conversations when their loved one is not clinically suitable.
Speaker
Courtney Tillotta
LSW, CT
Manager of Aftercare Support
Indiana Donor Network
Speaker
Jacqueline Salvatore
Manager of Family Services
NJ Sharing Network
Mentee, Speaker
Alexis Plumb
Supervisor, Donation Liaison-SP
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
Alliance Ambassador, Moderator
Kristen Deyling
BA
Learning and Development Specialist
Lifebanc
Members of the donation and transplantation community serving diverse populations to include administrators, coordinators, physicians, nurses, surgeons, managers, quality improvement specialists, social workers, and other donation and transplantation center professionals and their colleagues.
