Organmeetings stories: The complex role of the Transplant Coordinator

How did you decide to become one of the first seven officially appointed Local Transplant Coordinators in 2022?

I felt that this was a mission that won me over, and I wanted to be a part of it. The Local Transplant Coordinator (LTC) has a multifaceted role and is involved in all stages of the donation process, from identifying the donor to completing the surgical donation process. They support both healthcare professionals and the donor’s family throughout the procedure. In addition, they contribute to constantly educating and raising awareness about organ and tissue donation among healthcare professionals and the general public.

You underwent further training in Barcelona with the support of the Onassis Foundation. What were the results of this experience?

The training in Barcelona was an exceptional experience in all respects. Most importantly, it provided significant knowledge, as Spain is a pioneering country in organ donation and transplantation. It equipped me with the necessary tools to perform my role as an LTC in the best possible way. Of course, beyond the training in Barcelona, the Onassis Foundation has supported the LTCs from the very beginning. After all, thanks to its funding, the pilot program for LTCs in Greece started in 2022.

Part of your mission is to address fears or ‘myths’ that arise in this context.

We may encounter fears or even suspicion in some cases, but this is due to a lack of information or even misinformation. However, it is essential to emphasize that most citizens accept and recognize the importance of organ donation—they understand that “organ donation saves lives.” In the face of suspicion, our most potent tool is accurate and continuous information from reliable sources. Above all, we need the citizens’ trust in this chain of life. We must realize that organ donation concerns us all. It is an issue that must no longer be taboo in everyday conversations but should be openly discussed within our families.

Do you really feel that you are part of a chain of life? And how would you describe it?

Absolutely! Dozens of healthcare—and non-healthcare—professionals are involved in an organ donation case. Essentially, almost the entire hospital is mobilized and with a sense of emergency. For example, Intensive Care Unit physicians continue their role even after the patient’s brain death, now as caregivers of the donor. Additionally, many other specialties and laboratories contribute to assessing the donor’s suitability. At the same time, let’s not forget that similar mobilization occurs at the Hellenic Transplant Organization, where coordinators organize the process centrally, as well as at transplant units, which stand by the potential recipient’s side.

What is the emotional impact of such a process, where you need to give courage but probably receive it to handle the next case?

Those of us who stand by the donor’s family and are involved in the entire donation process experience emotional strain. We do give courage, but we also receive it. And if there is one lasting takeaway from this process—at least on a personal level—it is the feeling of hope. You can’t fully grasp its dimensions if you don’t experience it firsthand. I find every experience deeply moving each time I go through it again, especially when I see relatives choosing to give others a second chance while they are experiencing grief themselves.

What do you hold on to as an experience so that you move forward with the same resilience each time?

I hold on to the fact that there are people who selflessly think of and help their fellow human beings despite their personal pain. Studies show that among families who consented to organ donation, not even one has regretted it. After the profoundly tragic moment of losing a loved one, the act of donation offers them a sense of solace. I also hold onto the collective effort of all physicians and other professionals who go beyond themselves to ensure the successful outcome of the donation process.