Have you guys ever heard of an Honor Walk? Me either until a couple of months ago. The experience was one of the most profound of my career as a Physician Assistant. To explain, an Honor Walk occurs when someone who is on life support goes to the OR for organ donation.
It all began when I strolled into work one morning and was greeted by the overhead announcement, “An Honor Walk will begin in 15 minutes in the ICU.” Possibly a military thing, I thought. As I sat at a computer with a cup of coffee, I asked my cronies what an Honor Walk was.
“It’s when someone goes to the operating room for organ procurement; the hospital staff lines the hallways.”
Wow.
Our group shuffled along to the ICU, and a nurse waved us forward. We stood among myriads of hospital staff all with backs to the walls along the route the patient would take, chitchatting quietly. Time ticked on, and I suspected the family was saying their goodbyes.
Slowly, the chatter ceased and people hushed as the patient came into view. Staff pushed the hospital bed and the support equipment. The patient was probably a little younger than I am. Behind the bed walked the teary-eyed family and friends in a procession taking their last few steps with their loved one. The staff stood quietly honoring the sacrifice.
Honor Walk
I cannot imagine what it must have been like for that family… knowing they had a few more seconds before the hospital bed rolled into the restricted OR area. I don’t know what it meant to them to have the staff honor their loved one.
But, I know what it meant for me. That patient and their family in the midst of their absolute devastation were about to give life (in some form) to at least one other person and likely multiple people.
LIFE.
Someone likely had been praying for a heart for their family member and that prayer was answered. Maybe someone had their vision restored through corneal transplants. Or possibly another patient went off dialysis because of a kidney they received from this patient.
Can you even fathom what a gift that must be?
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:12-13 NIV).
My hat is off to the people who choose to give life even in their death. That’s why I’m an organ donor. Not only that, but I’m proud of the medical field for honoring the patients and their families who undergo organ donation. I pray for the organ recipients’ bodies to accept the new organs. And, I pray for the family/ friends of the deceased. May they continued to feel honored.
*In Maryland, visit The Living Legacy for more information on organ donation.
Love you,
I have a dear friend, closer than a brother to me, that received a double-lung transplant some 10 years ago. I pray the donor and his family received this same God-honoring courtesy. I wonder how many silent prayers were uttered as this dear family accompanied their loved one on this final journey. I pray more the donor was saved and knew they had no need for those human things, beyond helping another live and, I pray, grow to honor God. Thank you for extending this courtesy to that family and for sharing this practice with us Ms. Kelly. God’s blessings young lady.
It was a privilege to be a part of it!
Wow! Thank you for this touching message.
Wow, that has to be the hardest walk anyone ever takes. What an emotional journey and a loving sacrifice from family members. Thanks for sharing because I have never heard of the Honor Walk either.
My heart went out to the family and friends of the patient.
Powerful to think about. Thank you for sharing this story, Kelly!
Kelly, what beautiful writing to describe the way a hospital staff honors a patient’s gift. It’s comforting to know that as busy as hospital days are, the rush stops to honor someone in this way. Thank you for reminding us to honor those who grieve as we remember how precious the gift of life from God is.
I agree and felt the same. It was great to see people take the time to honor this patient and their loved ones.
This gave me chills! I am an organ donor and would be honored to save a life one day if God calls me home early. This is a beautiful thing your hospital does; thanks for sharing!
How beautiful! I got chills as soon as I imagined the walk. What a gift to give life. I hope it brings immense comfort to the grieving family. A friend of mine lost her 3rd grader many years ago and donated several of her organs. They’ll never know what hope and life their horrific loss brought to someone else, but I know they wonder and it brings comfort.
What an honor to bear witness to someone on their way to give LIFE to others. I’m not sure I could keep it together as your story really moved me. May their spirit soar to the heavens and may their family be comforted knowing the essence of their loved one lives on in others.
I really hope so…it was a really tough moment for them.
What a beautiful post! I wanted to laugh, cry, and sing. I was not familiar with the Honor Walk, but I am an organ donor. I hope that someday I can give new life to someone in need.