More than 48,000 organ transplants occur in the United States annually. Over 103,000 people remain on the waiting list, and around 13 die each day still hoping for a match. Organ donation is often seen as a final act of generosity — it’s the ultimate gift, the gift of life. Being an organ donor saves as many as eight people — and enhances the lives of over 75 more.1
But beneath this noble act, there’s something sinister going on — widespread safety failures, negligence, and oversight that not only disregard the sanctity of the donor, but also put living patients in harm’s way. This is what a federal investigation sought to uncover. Their findings reveal the disturbing practices behind the organ donation system, and expose just how deep the systemic problems run.
A sweeping federal investigation into organ procurement misconduct is now being conducted in the U.S., particularly focused on a now-defunct organization in Kentucky. The investigation began after a single, shocking case caught national attention — A brain-dead patient waking up on the operating table just as his organs were about to be harvested.2,3
Hellbound and Down 