Doctors were shocked when they almost removed organs from a man who was still alive after being declared dead. Anthony Thomas ‘TJ’ Hoover II, 36, was rushed to a hospital in Richmond, Kentucky, in October 2021 due to a drug overdose, according to his sister Donna Rhorer.
Although declared dead, Rhorer noticed TJ seemed to open his eyes and look around as he was moved from the ICU to the operating room. “It was like his way of saying, ‘Hey, I’m still here,’” Donna said. Family members were informed this was a reflex often seen after death.
Natasha Miller was responsible for preserving organs for transplant and realised TJ was alive despite the earlier pronouncement. She observed: “He was moving and thrashing on the bed. You could see tears coming down his face. He was visibly crying.”
“Brain dead” man wakes up in the operating room just prior to having his organs harvested; dances at his sister’s wedding a year later:https://t.co/rdJpLlae5V
— Dr. Heidi Klessig (@heidiklessigmd) October 17, 2024
Miller said the procuring surgeon refused to proceed, prompting a supervisor to instruct finding another doctor, which was not possible, causing distress to the coordinator. The organ retrieval was then cancelled.
Several staff members, including Nyckoletta Martin, resigned after the incident. Martin, dedicated to organ donation and transplant, expressed concern over the lack of protections for donors. Martin, who wasn’t in the operating room that day, was shocked to hear about the signs of life during TJ’s cardiac catheterization.
“The donor had woken up during his procedure and was thrashing on the table,” Martin stated. “Being conscious during surgery and knowing someone plans to take your organs? That’s horrifying.” The Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) stated the situation was not accurately represented.
Julie Bergin, president and COO for Network for Hope, which formed when KODA joined the LifeCenter Organ Donor Network, clarified: “No one at KODA has ever been pressured to collect organs from a living patient. KODA does not recover organs from living patients and has never pressured its team members to do so.” TJ now resides with his sister, who is his legal guardian.
What Other Media Are Saying
- ABC News reports on Colleen Burns, who woke up as doctors prepared to remove her organs, highlighting medical errors and near-tragic consequences despite signs of her recovery.(read more)
- The Guardian reports on a man declared brain dead who miraculously recovers, highlighting extraordinary medical cases and the complexities of life and death, sparking hope and ethical debates.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to TJ Hoover in the hospital?
TJ Hoover was declared dead after a drug overdose but showed signs of life before organ removal.
How was it discovered that TJ Hoover was still alive?
Natasha Miller noticed TJ was moving and crying, indicating he was still alive.
Did the organ retrieval process proceed after discovering TJ was alive?
No, the organ retrieval was cancelled after discovering TJ was alive.
What was the reaction of the hospital staff involved in the incident?
Several staff members, including Nyckoletta Martin, resigned after the incident.
What is the current status of TJ Hoover?
TJ now lives with his sister, who is his legal guardian.