Testimonials
Free translation from the original text in French

December 29th, 2002 is the date on which our father lost his life and when our family life got upset… as well as that of other families. You will understand why.

Doctors left us with no hope since the beginning. The traffic accident of our father put him in a status of « cerebral death » (only a person in cerebral death can be organs donor, which reduces considerably the number of donors). Double shock ! To the tragedy of the accident comes the additional question of organs donation. We had talked about it within the family as he was alive. He was a donor and we respected his choice. There was therefore no real question for us (it should be stressed that even if a person carries an organs donor card with him, organs cannot be taken without family consent).

We lost him from the moment his cerebral death was announced. Yet, at the same time, he was breathing (artificially of course) and his heart beats were perfect. What a confusion!

What should be stressed is that organs donation also means hours of waiting during which cerebral exams are effected as requested by Swisstransplant (twice in 12 hours) in order to ascertain the diagnosis and the irreversible status of the patient. Then, the body is maintained alive through medical apparatus. The brain no longer commands vital functions. Breathing is maintained artificially and the body temperature is kept constant (if needs be with the help of heating blankets). For organs to be properly oxygenated in the donor’s body, the donor must receive a lot of liquid. Our slender bodied father became « enormous » (12 litres of liquid injected in 12 hours) ! A lot of psychological strength is required to go through such a trial, but all this is supported by the infinite hope of saving other lives.

After having had to front such a situation, we wish to emphasize how important it is to discuss it in family.

Despite the daily mourning difficulties our dad is not completely dead, yet knowing very well that the transplanted persons are rather different from him. Through this organs donation, life has overcome death. When we feel the “blues” , we know there are, as of today, at least three people (two kidney grafts and one liver graft) as well as their families which, on this 29th December, 2002, have seen their life transformed thanks to our beloved father and the goodwill of our mother. We would like these people to know, if they read this article, that we would be extremely happy to receive their news, in a day, in a week, in a month, in a year or more, as they wish. We shall always remain at their disposal as they belong to our history.

To those who are reluctant with organs donation: we respect your choice. Yet, you should know that according to statistics, you stand a higher probability to be one day on the receivers list than on the one of donors. Maybe one day, you or one of your close relations will be on that waiting list. Waiting may sometimes be fatal because of the lack of donors and of people like you for whom the carnal envelope is so important !!

SEPPEY-FOLLONIER Natacha, HERMANCE, Geneva
FOLLONIER Johanna, Sierre, Valais

If you wish to contact us, please call : +41-(0)22-751 18 48

Between protocol and medical privilege, we need to communicate.
Denis passed the baton to this young man of 19.
A departure for a new life.
His mother and brother
Thank you for this beautiful testimony!

To the donor family,

Dear Sir/Madam,

I don’t know you any more than you know me.
But this is hardly important, for you or for I, since anonymity is a rule to be respected in our situation. What counts is the generosity of the donor, the success of the operation and the knowledge of this success for the family’s entourage. That is why you have become so dear to me, without ever having seen your faces.

Know this: I have just spent 6 months in a new life thanks to the gift of the lungs of another human being. After so many years struggling against a disease that was beginning to the get the best of me, the time came when I could no longer see the sense of battling against the fate that had followed me since I was born. Suddenly, a light appeared, new hope was born with a call from the hospital.

Today, at 19, I have gone back to my job, I play the sports I love and I go out with my friends. I have gone from merely surviving to living fully and every day I thank the heavens for what I feel is a miracle. Even more so, I thank the one who has given me the chance to live what I am living.

To the dear family that has surrounded this person with their love, I fill my lungs to shout my gratitude. Let the gesture of this person help you to accept their departure!
On the 30th of August 2002, Denis would have celebrated his 19th birthday.

We would like to thank the donor recipients for living fully, for yourselves and your future.

Affectionately,
Guy & Pascale Lilla