Family Opposing Woman's Organ Donation Now Allowing It

Fox 40, KTXL Sacramento | Ian MacDonald

The family of a woman who was in a horrifying car accident on Highway 99 April 28 will allow her organs to be donated, after a legal battle to halt procedure.

Gloria Woods’ organs were taken Thursday.

Woods' family originally opposed the procedure because they, as a family, do not believe in organ harvest. Woods, 40, had the pink "donor dot" on her driver's license. Her family said she changed her mind, but never changed her license.

Attorney Ken Rosenfeld told FOX40 the family does not have the right to make that decision for her.

"The court will always look at the intent of the person involved," Rosenfeld said. "Not the family, not loved ones, not somebody else's religious beliefs, not their church, not their temple, but that person."

Woods checked the "donor" box during a visit to the DMV. Her family told FOX40 she later changed her mind, but never put it in writing.

"It is a very serious box to check," Rosenfeld said. "And people should give a lot of thought to it because it is a legally binding contract."

The UC Davis Medical Center released this statement Thursday afternoon:

"Our hearts go out to the family of Ms. Woods. We understand the pain that families suffer when a loved one dies. It is an extremely difficult time for any family."

The family filed a lawsuit late in the day (Wednesday) to block the organ donation, and UC Davis Medical Center and Sierra Donor Services (the organ procurement organization) delayed the organ recovery procedure to afford the family an opportunity to present their case in court. At no time did anyone at UC Davis try to rush the organ donation process before the family could have an opportunity to present the matter in court. The family voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit early this morning, before the matter ever came before a judge.

UC Davis Medical Center has an obligation to honor its patients’ legally binding instructions, including their directives for organ donation. This case is a reminder that it’s important for people to talk about their organ donation decisions with family members at the time they make those decisions so that it may spare loved ones additional sorrow at an already painful time."
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