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Will Xenotransplantation Answer the Nation’s Organ Shortage?
Successful implantation of pig kidneys into two patients offers promising resultsXenotransplantation is the practice of transplanting functioning animal organs into a human recipient. According to the National Kidney Foundation, “On average, 17 people die each day in the United States waiting for an organ transplant.” This results in over 6,000 deaths each year. Because of this national medical crisis, researchers have reached beyond human donors…
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“Ethical Wills: Putting Your Values on Paper”
A helpful written resource about sharing personal beliefs and practical advice for future generationsAn ethical will is a written record articulating a person’s beliefs, philosophies and life experiences as a legacy for others. While not a legal document, an ethical will can serve as a loving gift for future generations. The book “Ethical Wills: Putting Your Values on Paper” details the who, what, when and how of ethical…
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A Virtual Team Huddle Brings More Humanity to Cancer Care (Interview)
An Interview with oncologist Hoa Le, M.D., who introduced the huddle to his oncology practiceMedical professionals cannot prevent death, but Hoa Le, M.D. is working to provide patients with what he describes as a “beautiful, dignified” end-of-life experience. Le, who’s been an oncologist for the past 17 years and currently practices at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, California, has created a new form of care that’s altering the late-stage…
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Chemotherapy Shortages Impact Cancer Treatments
Two important cancer drugs are in limited supplySince the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world, the interconnectedness of supply chain issues became much more apparent to the average consumer as things like toilet paper and bicycles became high-demand items. But now, chemotherapy drugs are also in short supply, with potentially deadly consequences for patients. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network conducted a survey in…
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A Barbie Girl in a Deathless World Meets the Patriarchy
Greta Gerwig’s feminist film highlights the fallout of a cultural avoidance of deathEven if people haven’t yet seen “Barbie” — Director Greta Gerwig’s fuchsia-colored smash summer hit – they’re likely to have watched the trailer, in which Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, brings her house party to a record-scratching halt with the question: “Do you guys ever think about dying?”
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Helping a Dear Friend On Life Support to Die Peacefully
Designated as her healthcare proxy, I had to do right by herThis story is of Patti, as told by Irena Kaci. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences with loss. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their experience of grief and, ultimately, to aid them in their healing processes. In this article, we…
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“Making Friends with Death”
In her field guide Making Friends with Death, Pritchett begins with a formative experience of helping her mother dig up an old skeleton blocking an irrigation ditch on their landLaura Pritchett, author of five novels, “came from a chaotic, strange, ranch-y, farm-y, science-y family,” which made her “familiar enough with life” and helped her “get familiar enough with death” by the time she was a teenager. Helping her mother dig up an old skeleton that was blocking an irrigation ditch on their land is…
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“Maman”: An Artist’s Ode to Her Mother
Louise Bourgeois’ towering sculpture of a spider speaks to the complexities of a mother’s roleThe French artist Louise Bourgeois lost her mother when she was just 21. It was a complicated yet familiar situation: the two historically had a complex and at times even tumultuous relationship. But at the same time, Bourgeois felt she couldn’t go on without her beloved mother, Joséphine, whom she called her “best friend.” Deeply…
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Our Monthly Tip: Care for a Grieving Student with a Back to School Gift
Milestones like going back to school for a new semester can be hard while mourning a loved oneOur Monthly Tip: While January 1 is often associated with goal setting and starting new chapters, those who are involved with education as a teacher or student often regard August in the same way. For many, the end of summer marks a transition as they re-train themselves to go to bed earlier and wake up…
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