The legacy of 14-year-old Michael McVey lives on in tens of thousands of lives saved through donation after circulatory death (DCD) — a vital pathway to organ donation that was once nearly forgotten.
After a tragic fall in 1995, Michael became Gift of Life Donor Program’s first DCD donor. At a time when most transplants followed brain death, his case inspired renewed interest in DCD across the country. Michael saved three lives, and his impact has multiplied exponentially.
“Michael is an example of how one person can change the world,” said John Edwards, the transplant coordinator who worked with Michael’s family.
With the support of Gift of Life, Michael’s mother, Susan McVey-Dillon, became a tireless advocate, speaking to physicians and nurses about the importance of DCD. Her voice, combined with Gift of Life’s clinical leadership, helped DCD become a national standard, paving the way for tens of thousands of DCD transplants nationwide.
Today, DCD provides families with the opportunity to honor their loved ones’ wishes when recovery is no longer possible. DCD is possible when the family, in consultation with hospital physicians, chooses to withdraw life support and death is declared after the heart permanently stops.
“Michael’s donation, his mother’s advocacy, and our commitment to sharing best practices have helped save tens of thousands of lives,” said Rick Hasz, president and CEO of Gift of Life.
Each year, hundreds of lives are saved through DCD in Gift of Life’s region — a testament to the enduring power of one family’s decision and one young hero’s extraordinary legacy.