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'They took my son’s heart'

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No parent ever wants to endure the death of a child, but, tragically, it happens. Sometimes it is anticipated as a result of ongoing ill-health, sometimes it may be sudden. A question often asked at the point when death is imminent (or has happened) by medical professionals is ‘would you allow your child’s organs to be donated?’ In isolation, this question seems cold, even cruel, but when you see how organ donation may benefit another person, your perspective may change.

This short video shows a mom listening to her son Caleb’s heart, 8 months after he died after 2 sudden strokes, in the body of the recipient of the heart transplant. For Caleb’s mom and the rest of her family, being able to experience the ways in which her son’s heart had touched to the lives of others offered her some closure.



For psychiatrist Charles Shelton, the moment gave him a chance to thank Caleb’s family and to help celebrate the life of the young man whose death gave him life.

Having watched the video, would you ever allow your child’s organs to be donated?

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