Today, I am thankful for those who ‘pay it forward’, and in return, prosper because of their own benevolence.
This past Valentine’s Day, I shared a blog with all of you regarding the power of ‘paying it forward.’ In that segment, I highlighted the heart’s function and the global immunization initiative for polio eradication as examples of virtuous cycles – a complex chain of positive events or favorable actions which are reinforced and perpetuated through a positive feedback loop. But, in my humble opinion, the best exemplars of virtuous cycles are the actions that stem forth from singular individuals. Sometimes, the simple random act of kindness one human performs has a way of perpetuating itself into a fortuitous, self-fulfilling prophecy. In turn, these actions result in a betterment of humanity, or, if nothing else, give us hope for the human race.
Let me share with you an interesting medical story that transpired on this day 33 years ago in Maryland. Clinton House was a 28-year old refrigeration mechanic suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). In those days, medications to treat CF were not available, and death often descended on affected patients by the second or third decade of life. With his lungs failing from the genetic disease, Clinton was added to the lung transplant list, one of the few options available for patients afflicted with CF. At that time, it was believed that patients with CF would benefit more if they received a dual transplant of heart and lung. When Clinton was added to the transplant list, his physicians asked him that if they could locate lungs and a heart for him, would he willing to have his own current well-functioning heart donated to someone else in need. In essence, would Clinton be willing to pay it forward, Clinton readily agreed?
So, on this day (May 11) in 1987, the first triple donation of organs was performed. Let me explain what I mean.
The family of an accident victim who had suffered irreversible brain damage at the University of Maryland agreed to remove their love one from life support. They also agreed to offer the organs, including lungs and heart, of their loved one to someone in need on the transplant list. After the organs were harvested in College Park, Maryland, they were transported the 40 miles to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where a 17-hour surgery was performed to remove Clinton’s existing heart and lungs and replace them with those from the accident victim. Once the heart was harvested from Clinton, it was transplanted in John Couch, a 39-year old accountant with congestive heart failure, who was waiting on the heart transplant list at the same hospital. In other words, the first triple exchange of organs was performed via a complex set of operations – a ‘domino’ transplantation. At that time, this was also the first living heart donation ever performed.
Both men survived the surgery, and, afterwards, a friendship blossomed. Clinton and John became instant pals, pushing each other during the recuperation while wreaking havoc with the medical staff at the hospital. Even when both were finally released from the hospital, they chatted several times a week over the phone, exchanged letters and cards, and spent time together with one another and with each other’s families. Sadly, Clinton House only survived an additional year, passing away in July of 1988. John Couch persevered and went on to live another 9 years until he died of lymphoma in November of 1996. Those additional 9 years afforded John the time to raise his own 3 children and see them off into adulthood. More importantly, neither family ever regretted the decision. Even after Clinton expired, the House family would regularly get together with the Couch family, taking time to share meals and holiday gatherings whenever possible. In many ways, the House family received solace in knowing that Clinton lived on in John. A virtuous cycle was created and flourished.
Organ donation is an excellent example of the power of a virtuous cycle. May you have the desire, grit, and, most importantly, the heart to start your own cycle today, whether by signing up to be an organ donor or by performing some other charitable, selfless means.
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