Heart transplant recipient Hal Etkin had an emotional meeting with the father of his organ donor, Richard Teehan, at Springfield City Hall in celebration of Valentine’s Day and National Organ Donor Day. The event was also attended by Springfield city officials, RMV leadership, and other individuals whose lives were saved by organ donations. The meeting symbolized the profound impact of organ donations on the lives of recipients and their families.
New England Donor Services reported a record level of clinical activity in 2023, with 549 deceased donors contributing to 1,401 life-saving transplants. This achievement placed the organization among the top four organ procurement organizations in the country in terms of donor volume. The event also highlighted the crucial role played by the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in organ donation, as most organ and tissue donors in Massachusetts register through the RMV.
During the meeting, Richard Teehan expressed his pride in his late son Jack, who was a selfless individual and an exceptional athlete. Teehan emphasized the importance of organ donation and cherished every moment he had with his son. This heartwarming event serves as a reminder of the power of organ donation and the profound impact it has on the lives of both recipients and donor families.
