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Chris Cussen was taken off life support in Montreal on Easter weekend, and he hoped his tissue would be donated to those who need it. His family soon learned that wouldn’t be possible.
His stepmother, Debbie St-Martin, was told by the hospital that Héma-Québec was not available to collect the donation on the Saturday.
“People don’t just die from Monday to Friday,” said St-Martin, who described Cussen as a generous person.
Héma-Québec issued a statement to CBC News saying tissue donation co-ordination teams are present seven days a week, with coverage during both day and evening shifts, but there was an issue.
“We acknowledge that, on Saturday of the Easter weekend, a staffing challenge temporarily affected donor recommendation services only,” the statement says, recognizing the situation was painful for families who wished to donate.
“The situation is expected to be resolved shortly, with full capacity to be restored soon.”
Héma-Québec says it has not been taking tissue donations for the last four Saturdays, but tissue supplies remain sufficient. All patients requiring tissue grafts will receive them, and Héma-Québec continues to maintain its supply for clinical needs, the statement says.
“Again, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family affected,” it says.
Chris Cussen died over Easter weekend thinking his tissues could be donated, but Héma-Québec was not available to collect the donations. (Submitted by Debbie St-Martin)
Wendy Sherry is a nurse clinician for organ and tissue donation at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), where Cussen died at age 54.
She couldn’t speak directly to Cussen’s case, but generally speaking, she said there is a short window of 24 hours to collect tissue after circulation stops.
“So the clock starts ticking right away,” she said.
Cussen, a father of three, was ineligible for organ donation largely due to the kidney condition that shortened his life. He still wanted to donate his tissue, St-Martin said.
Donated tissues can help 20 people
When someone dies, hospitals call Héma-Québec to alert them to a potential tissue donor.
Tissues such as corneas, skin, bones, tendons, heart valves and arteries can be collected. A single tissue donor can help up to 20 people.
A MUHC spokesperson said in an email that teams follow established protocols for contacting Héma-Québec, but declined to comment on any individual case.
A freeze-dried bag of bones during a visit at the Héma-Québec laboratory in Quebec City. This is among the tissues that can be donated. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
“We are committed to supporting donation whenever possible and to working closely with our partners to ensure appropriate processes are followed,” said spokesperson Evelyne Dufresne, encouraging patients or families with questions or concerns to contact the hospital’s ombudsman.
While the hospital declined to address this specific case, Sherry said this is not the first time Héma-Québec staff shortages have caused issues with donations.
“I had to call two families. I let them know that, unfortunately, tissue donation could not move forward despite their loved one being eligible because of a lack of staff,” she said.
Héma-Québec says it tried to reach out to Cussen’s family after failing to grant his final wishes. Regardless, St-Martin said not having staff available on Saturdays is not acceptable because people do not always die at convenient times.
St-Martin said she feels sad and disappointed.
“Because that was something he wanted to do. He believed in that kind of stuff. So it hurt.”