In an unbelievable incident, a 36-year-old man who had suffered cardiac arrest and was declared brain-dead by doctors suddenly woke up during surgery to remove his organs for donation.
Anthony Thomas “TJ” Hoover’s family told local media that his case raises serious questions about the organ donation process, describing the situation as a “living nightmare.”
Though he was considered dead according to medical protocols, he suddenly revived as the surgeons were removing his organs.
As reported by National Public Radio (NPR) and Kentucky news station WKYT, the case is currently under investigation by state and federal authorities.
The Guardian newspaper mentioned that U.S. organ procurement officials emphasize strict measures in place to prevent such incidents. However, Hoover’s family believes their experience indicates a need for reform in the organ donation system.
A Series of Unsettling Events
Hoover was admitted to Baptist Health Hospital in Richmond, Kentucky, in October 2021 after a drug overdose. Hours later, doctors informed the family that he had no reflexes or brain activity, leading his relatives to decide to take him off life support.
Hospital staff then informed his sister that Hoover was an organ donor, and the hospital began assessing which organs were viable. A ceremony was even held in his honor.
However, Hoover’s sister, Donna Rohrer, noticed that his eyes had started to open and follow their movements, though doctors dismissed this as a reflexive action.
Approximately an hour after Hoover was taken into surgery to remove his organs, a doctor came out and said he was “not ready.”
Rohrer described the moment, saying, “He woke up.” Although doctors advised her to take him home and make him comfortable, they believed he wouldn’t live much longer. Rohrer has cared for Hoover over the past three years.
The details of the surgery were revealed to Rohrer in January when a former employee of Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) contacted her. This led her to write a letter to a congressional committee, which held a hearing in September to investigate organ procurement agencies.
Rohrer claimed that the witness saw Hoover thrashing on the operating table and crying, according to NPR.
Ongoing Investigations
In response to these accounts, both the hospital and KODA emphasized their commitment to patient safety. KODA stated that no organs were ever harvested from living patients and denied ever pressuring anyone into such procedures.
While Hoover’s case is under investigation, experts warn that media attention could harm the U.S. organ transplant system, which has a waiting list of over 100,000 people. Medical ethicists argue that such incidents are rare and hope they will be prevented from recurring.
Rohrer defends her decision to make the case public, hoping it encourages others in similar situations to come forward. She added, “My brother was trying to say, ‘Hey, I’m here,’ but he was ignored.” Despite her concerns, she felt powerless to challenge the medical system.
