46 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com On June 19, 2017, life changed abruptly and tragically for a young family in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cletus Schneiders III choked on a piece of steak while his wife, Carrie, was tending to their three small children in the next room. By the time she realized Cletus was in trouble, it was too late to save him. Two days later, he was declared brain dead; suddenly, Carrie was faced with excruciatingly difficult decisions. One thing she knew for sure was that her husband would want to help people as much in his death as in his life. To honor his generous spirit, she agreed to donate his organs. What she did not expect was the 150-person gathering that lined the hallway of Mercy West Hospital for Cletus’ final journey. Doctors, nurses, hospital staff, friends and family were there to pay tribute to this heroic young man. Carrie has described the experience as simultaneously amazing and heartbreaking. Pictures posted on Facebook soon went viral, and the concept of “The Honor Walk” was introduced across the nation and the world. For Carrie, the immediate response from grateful organ recipients around the globe was comforting. They shared personally their gratitude for donors like her husband who had given them a new lease on life. In fact, she said these new connections were the only thing that kept her going during those first pain-numbing days. Cletus’ own lasting legacy would include 50 grateful recipients. Today, any hospital can easily host an Honor Walk. Organ procurement organizations assist in arranging the details in conjunction with the grieving family and hospital. After rigorous tests to confirm the patient is clinically and legally brain dead, the patient travels the final journey from the intensive care unit to the surgical operating room. Family and friends, as well as hospital staff, are invited to pay their respects by lining the hall WALKING OUR HEROES HOME: THE VALUE OF AN HONOR WALK By Janet E. Perrigo Craig Owens
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