ITN Vol 1; Issue 3, 1999

The Interview: She Gave Her All

Loretta Andrews, 67, from USA became the first foreign national to be a deceased donor in India. She met with an accident in October 1998 in Chennai and was declared brain dead. Loretta had checked 'Yes' in the 'Organ donor?” box in her US driving license and her family honoured her wish and donated her organs. In October 1999 when MOHAN Foundation organized the first ever donor family felicitation programme in Chennai, Loretta's son John and his wife Nancy flew down to be a part of the function – a remarkable gesture.

“...Narrating a small incident, Mr. Andrews (her son) said, “One of her favourite things about the trip was when she went to Vietnam. She organised a trip to the zoo, for a group of local deaf children, with the help of some of the students on a 'semester at sea'. The children might not have been able to hear but looking at their smiles, their laughter and their gestures was enough for her. I think that kind of summarises why she would donate, because even in death, she could still keep living - that for her was the ultimate gift of life”.