A 33-year-old American man named T.J. Hoover miraculously survived a shocking incident in Kentucky. The medical team mistakenly believed he had died from a methamphetamine overdose and began preparations to harvest his kidneys and pancreas for donation while he was still alive at Baptist Health Hospital in the northern part of the state. According to the Mirror, family members accompanied what they believed was his body in a "ceremonial walk" through the hospital corridors, unaware that he was conscious. A federal report revealed that Hoover narrowly avoided having his life support turned off at the last minute. The investigation uncovered concerning practices within the KYDA organization, where former staff halted the organ procurement process upon confirming Hoover's consciousness. As the medical team prepared to harvest his organs for donation, Hoover tried to indicate he was conscious by moving his eyes repeatedly, attempting to get someone's attention. At that time, staff from the Kentucky Donor Affiliates (KYDA), a state-associated non-profit organization, approached his sister for consent. Believing her brother had died and wanting to honor what she thought were his final wishes, she consented to the organ procurement. The report stated that KYDA staff "ordered the procurement to proceed" despite some patients showing signs of improving consciousness. It is noted that Hoover is now under the care of his sister, Julie Bergen, a former president and CEO of KYDA who works in the organ donation field. The report also indicated there were 73 other cases where organs were harvested from patients showing signs of life, pointing to systematic failures in procedures and calling for an investigation by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
