Dr. Marie Boudef

We don't just transplant the patient.

We transplant the family.

It's the entire family that literally goes through this process.

And she mentioned, you know, you're also a sympathizer and someone to help patients in a palliative mode as well.

As they come in, they're very sick.

You give them a new life.

But then lung transplantation, as she mentioned, does not last forever.

Then they succumb to chronic rejection and its complications.

But these patients are resilient.

They're incredibly strong.

They have a grit that you can't measure.

And their families are incredible in their support.

There are very similar rules.

There is no real contact that's provided formally between the donor family and the recipient.

The recipient, after about six months, is allowed and asked to write a letter to the donor family, which goes through a network, through the organ procurement organization or the OPO, and goes through a grief counselor for review.

The letter is reviewed, and then it's shared with the donor family.

The donor family can write to the recipient, just like in the UK and in other parts of the world.

But that is rare that happens.

It's usually the recipient reaching out.

And as my colleague mentioned, there are so many heartwarming stories, but there are also some sad stories.