Sister of Italian Priest Donates Organs Following His Death at Rambam
Brother Paolo Onori, an Italian priest living in Israel, died recently at Rambam Health Care Campus. His sister, in accordance with her brother’s wishes, arranged for his organs to be donated.
Brother Paolo Onori, a member of the Fraternity of the Little Brothers of Jesus Caritas in Nazareth, was taken to Rambam after suffering from a stroke. His sister, who is his only living relative, came from Italy to say goodbye.
Onori possessed an organ donor card, and had apparently spoken with his sister on a number of occasions over the years regarding his wishes to donate his organs following his death. His friend, Brother Marco Cussini, spoke with a reporter from Israel’s Ynet website. “It suited his personality. He was a good, simple person who loved to serve all people, and it didn’t matter what language they spoke. He was pleasant when he spoke to the people, and had a big smile,” recalls Cussini.
Onori’s sister raised the subject of organ donation at Rambam before Onori was declared brain dead. It was explained to her that they must wait until after brain death to harvest her brother’s organs, and the hospital’s Transplantation Unit reached out to the Embassy of Italy to ensure that there were no objections.
As a result of the organ donations, a 26-year-old man received Onori’s liver, a 58-year-old man received both lungs, a 66-year-old man received one kidney, and a 72-year-old woman received Onori’s other kidney.
Brother Paolo Onori, a member of the Fraternity of the Little Brothers of Jesus Caritas in Nazareth, was taken to Rambam after suffering from a stroke. His sister, who is his only living relative, came from Italy to say goodbye.
Onori possessed an organ donor card, and had apparently spoken with his sister on a number of occasions over the years regarding his wishes to donate his organs following his death. His friend, Brother Marco Cussini, spoke with a reporter from Israel’s Ynet website. “It suited his personality. He was a good, simple person who loved to serve all people, and it didn’t matter what language they spoke. He was pleasant when he spoke to the people, and had a big smile,” recalls Cussini.
Onori’s sister raised the subject of organ donation at Rambam before Onori was declared brain dead. It was explained to her that they must wait until after brain death to harvest her brother’s organs, and the hospital’s Transplantation Unit reached out to the Embassy of Italy to ensure that there were no objections.
As a result of the organ donations, a 26-year-old man received Onori’s liver, a 58-year-old man received both lungs, a 66-year-old man received one kidney, and a 72-year-old woman received Onori’s other kidney.