Some more info on brain death and organ donation. I tried focusing it on donation after brain death and with next-of-kin authorization as opposed to first-person authorization as C & B were minors:
Brain Death – If the tests done in the ICU show brain activity and blood flowing through the brain, the patient is in a coma. But if tests show no brain activity or blood supply, the brain has been destroyed and will never work again. If the tests show the brain is no longer alive, the doctor approaches the family and explains that the Brain death occurs when the brain is severely damaged by trauma or illness. A physician declares brain death when testing determines that there is an absence of electrical activity in the brain, no blood flow to the brain, and no brain function. Without brain function, the rest of the body can't survive. Consequently, a ventilator or breathing machine is used to keep other organs functioning – if consent to donate is given – while recipients are located for the donated organs.
Referral/Evaluation – When brain death is declared, a donation clinical specialist assesses if the patient is medically suitable for organ and/or tissue donation. The ventilator provides oxygen to the major organs, even after the patient dies.
Authorization – After telling the family the patient has died and determining that the patient is a suitable donor, the organ donation coordinator works with the family to ensure that the opportunity to donate is offered to those eligible. Once a family decides to donate, an authorization form is signed by the next-of-kin. Now, the patient is called a "donor." All hospital costs from this point are paid by the organ donation center.
Organ Placement – When next-of-kin authorization is given, the donor's blood type, height, weight and hospital are entered into a national database (UNOS) to find patients awaiting transplants who best match the donor's heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. Recipients for corneas (eyes), skin and bones can be found a short time later.
Organ Recovery – A surgical team then removes the donor's organ for the patient. Like other operations, this surgery takes place in an operating room. The organ(s) is then taken to the transplant center where a recipient(s) is waiting.
Funeral Arrangements – After donation, the donor is taken to a funeral home. Generally, funeral services are not delayed by donation, and donation itself does not prevent an open-casket funeral.
Follow-up – About two weeks after the funeral, the donor's family receives a letter from the donation center. The letter tells where organs and tissues went and shares some basic information about the people who received them. Names of donors and recipients are kept confidential, but donor families can get updates about recipients any time by calling the donation center. Donor families usually enjoy getting letters from recipients so they know how the patients are doing.
Source:
Organ Donation Process
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