Teen Organ Donor's Gift Turns Tragic

When A 15-Year-Old Boy Died Unexpectedly, Organ Recipients Picked Up Rare Form Of Cancer

(CBS)  Fifteen-year-old Alex Koehne died suddenly last year from what doctors thought was Meningitis.

"He said, 'Mommy, am I going to die?', and I said, 'No baby, they're going to make you all better,' his mother, Lisa Koehne remembers.

CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes reports his devastated parents took some solace in knowing that his death would give others new life. His mother says organ donation is very important to the family. "Alex always knew what he wanted."

Alex's liver went to a 52-year-old man. His pancreas to a 36-year-old woman. His kidneys went to two different men, one 46 and the other 64.

A month later, an autopsy revealed that Alex never had meningitis. He had a rare and fast-moving lymphoma cancer -- one that was now working its way through the bodies of four other people.

The organs were removed, but the lymphoma already had killed the recipients of his liver and pancreas. The two kidney patients had the kidneys removed and survived. They're now undergoing chemotherapy.

"When we found out that they died, our hearts went out to them," Koehne says tearfully.

"It’s a very, very rare event," says Dr. Lewis Teperman, director of transplantation at New York University Medical Center, where two of the four organs ended up.

He co-authored an article about the case in the American Journal of Transplantation to warn other doctors.

"We're alerting people to the fact that if someone calls a death from bacterial meningitis and there is no bacteria, we're saying, you know what, let's back off for a little bit and reconsider whether we're going to use these organs," Teperman says.

Alex's hospital and the donor network responsible for the health of the organs won't do interviews about the case. But in a statement, the donor network urged potential donors not to "allow the horrible circumstances surrounding this rare case to affect their decision to sign the donor registry," which every year gives 22,000 people a second chance at life.

Medical privacy rules may prevent the family from ever knowing the names of the people who died. Now, Alex's parents want to keep others from suffering a similar fate.

[cav60]

Just a little story Iwould like to share. In 1987 I received a renal transplant in North Carolina. I faired very well for two years. Then out of the blue my doctors called me in for a speacil visit. At that time I was told that the other receipients had developed cancer from the organs which they had received. I was completly overwhelmed to say the least. At that point I went through a number of scans. Remember Ihave had this organ for two years. At that point there were no tumors. Then I waited for the worse, which came within three months.I noticed a difficulty in swallowing only to find out that I had a tumorin my throat. Also at that time I had a large lump on my left inside forearm. I went for more scans only to find a large number of sub-contaneous tumors.Although I did not have to go through any type of chemotherpy my kidney was removed.My body went through a frenzy that Iwish to and do not remember.After a number of scans within a nine month period I was cancer free,I was and still amazed this happened in this period of medicine. My next three years were on dialysis before receiving another renal transplant. I am now doing well as far as my renal function is concern. My heart goes out to all the famlies invoved in this latest incident.May God bless.thank you for time.

[b-easy63]

Blood tests cannot detect cancer." Posted by indignant10

Well, they are detecting something in the blood that causes them to think that there is cancer because I know of many people where the doctor has said that they figured they had cancer from that blood test and they then ordered further tests. They all had cancer.

Posted by erasmus6 at 09:12 PM : Apr 02, 2008


Particularly for blood related cancers, there can be anomalies in the blood such as deformed red blood cells or a very high white blood cell count (or very, very low) that can then lead to other tests)

Blood tests are often the first indicator in the body that a pathogen of some sort is present. The amount of WBC increases dramatically in the presence of diseases and deformed rbc indicate there may be something going on within the bone marrow of the patient. This often turns out to be a type of leukemia. Further, problems with the lymph may be indicative of potential lymphomas. For diagnostic purposes, early indications may start with a blood test. Excellent point.

[b-easy63]

According to your logic you would be fine with having some company open a magazine subscription in your name because they think you would enjoy it and then require you to write them back to indicate that, no, you really don''''t want the subscription. Next a union automatically enrolls you because of your profession and you have to write them to tell them you don''''t want to be part of their union. See where I''''m going with this? Same thing for it being incumbent on you to tell the organ donation folks that you don''''t want to be an organ donor. Once again let me emphasize that I agree with organ donation, just not that it be mandatory or even assumed.

Posted by rational_1 at 02:25 PM : Apr 02, 2008


Excellent point: our bodies are NOT the property of the state and should not be used for good or evil without express permission from the potential donor. To assume otherwise is to open the possibility of people being killed early or compromised so that their organs can be used. I want to be cremated with my family present to witness that my body actually is cremated . If people are "forced" to donate (like the UK is trying to do) they may deliberately harm their bodies to render them unusable.

[b-easy63]

They test blood before it is given so you would think that they could somehow test these organs before they are given. There is the good old Xray machine, they can do a biopsy and also a blood test alone should tell of any infections or cancer. You would think after the disaster with blood they would have learned their lesson.

Posted by erasmus6 at 12:15 PM : Apr 02, 2008

all organs are supposed to be tested and those harvested from people who die from any known pathogen have to be tested specifically for that pathogen as well as others. There may be a law suit in here somewhere. It appears that neither the hospitals nor the donor bank tested these organs properly.

These are not the only deadly diseases passed on through tissue/organ donation. IN the 1990s there were quite a few cases of CJK disease as well as instances of Mad Cow disease due to transplants. Both are deadly. All organs are supposed to be screened and even if coming from a supposedly "healthy" donor, genetic as well as histology info has to be analyzed.

There is the impression that in the rush to get and use a match, Doctors and hospitals are not conducting the tests and screening as they should.

[hempstead7]

The one thing I have learned through my health issues is that if we challenge the media to read our comments, then changes might happen. If we all band together to ask for a supportive ear to express what our experiences and knowlege have led us to believe, I would think this rationale might prompt some interest.

[hempstead7]

Lack of answers lead to more major questions.........

[hempstead7]

I''m a big fan of CNN......who is financing the "Autism Day" ?..........

[hempstead7]

Why was my comment not aired? You need to acknowledge comments good or bad.

[erasmus6]

"Blood tests cannot detect cancer." Posted by indignant10

Well, they are detecting something in the blood that causes them to think that there is cancer because I know of many people where the doctor has said that they figured they had cancer from that blood test and they then ordered further tests. They all had cancer.

[spinern70]

I am sorry that this family not only had to lose their precious son, but is now dealing with the lymphome issue.

It appears that a meningitis donor is a questionable donor anyway. What type of meningitis was it, tuberculosis, viral, bacterial etc...?

I personally think it is a wake up call to incorporate more testing prior to transplantation. What else are we passing on? Melanoma, dormant HIV etc.

I sure hope there are no legal ramifications towards the family for their generous gesture. These things happen and lessons are learned. Process improvement!

[guysdigdirt]

if God had intended for people to have new organs, He would have made us grow them, like some lizards do. they fact is that God in His Infinite Wisdom has put death into life so as to call us all Home when He decides that our time has come. people are interfering with God''''s plans. death and destruction ensure.
Posted by ccfsdca

That is like saying if God had intended for us to swim he would have given us fins and gills. He gives us what he gives us and we have to do the best with what we have.

I do agree that if he wants you home, you will be going home.

[wakeup60]

Bravo,erasmus6, Hit that one on the head! "All" head''s up should be utilized when it comes to blood & organs.Every test should be made available & used before transplants take place!A given!They "thought" this young man had meningitis & died of it? Any kind of Meningitis is not good.Common sense folks?He died because of something!And with that one "Detail"/ shouldn''t it warrant/"NOT"using these organs? His sweet giving family just wished to mend their tragedy with a blessing/the blessing of life for someone else.The BIGGEST MISTAKE was from so-called Healthcare professionals!A National/Global Test for the sake of HEALTHY ORGANS from HEALTHY DONORS?Why not!Archaic!Speaking of Archaic/these people that say they believe in GOD? Why do you think a Higher Power would give us a brain?To play with it/Other than to using it & well as it was intended/ for the betterment of man & animals.To answer the riddles & problems of life,to solve,for us to think,figure out and solve/being smart and furthering our race/saving and curing it/to use it to accomplish just that.The CONDEMNers out there would let their own die/because of illiteracy or stupidity.Pity for you.There are cemetaries filled with wasted bodies with lives that would live on.Definition of "GOD"is a totally different one than yours.An Entity of Love,Compassion & Caring.Sincere condolences to all the families involved.Our thoughts are with you.

[rational_1]

Then you should register to have your organs NOT donated. It''''s still strictly your choice - no one else''''s.

And if you think about it, they''''re making decisions on your behalf now without your permission. They''''re assuming that you DON''''T want to donate your organs, and they''''re not going to allow you to donate them.
Basically, the knife cuts both ways (pardon the pun). Either way, they''''re making a decision on your behalf WITHOUT your permission - but you would have a chance to opt out.
Posted by hungry1968 at 10:16 AM : Apr 02, 2008

According to your logic you would be fine with having some company open a magazine subscription in your name because they think you would enjoy it and then require you to write them back to indicate that, no, you really don''t want the subscription. Next a union automatically enrolls you because of your profession and you have to write them to tell them you don''t want to be part of their union. See where I''m going with this? Same thing for it being incumbent on you to tell the organ donation folks that you don''t want to be an organ donor. Once again let me emphasize that I agree with organ donation, just not that it be mandatory or even assumed.

[coldday3]

ccfsdca, not to get into a God match, but if God had not intended for us to develop the ability to do organ transplants, than why are we able? Yeah there are problems, and sometimes people still die afterwards, but on the whole it is saving many people''s lives. They are also able to grow organs now, so I think it is very cold-hearted for you to put that comment on here. God also intended us to live for several more years than we live now, so why wouldn''t He give us the ability to get back to that point. Why do we automatically assume that God has a "death wish" for us, instead to go on after an organ transplant and live a productive life that could impact many people? People who make comments like that are what give God a bad name.

[corn29]

ccfsdca... God gave us the science and the medicine and the people who have chosen those professions. When people deny the gift which God has given them they ultimately deny God. Your post is nothing more than a gross misrepresentation of Scripture and is a metaphor for everything which is wrong with organized religion.

[indignant10]

Please do some research regarding organ donation before sounding off. Blood tests cannot detect cancer. Thousands of individual''s lives are saved yearly by the voluntary organ donation by grieveing families. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who needs a new organ or have a relative who does. The donor families often recieve solace knowing that their loved ones are somehow continuing through the donation process. THINK ABOUT IT!!

[erasmus6]

They test blood before it is given so you would think that they could somehow test these organs before they are given. There is the good old Xray machine, they can do a biopsy and also a blood test alone should tell of any infections or cancer. You would think after the disaster with blood they would have learned their lesson.

[mn2az1]

First, let me say to the donor family, I''m truly sorry for the loss of your son. I know the pain you went through when learning of the full magnitude of your son''s organ donations. There are no words to describe the pain and suffering experienced by one of the recipients and her family (36 year old single mother) who was so hopeful for the future but is no longer with us. It was beyond belief that something like this could happen but it did.

I hope and pray the medical community develops testing methods to prevent something like this from happening to other innocent people.

[sassalin]

psy_war,

Shut-up. Your rantings have no place on this board. Show some respect for the families that have lost loved ones and stop trying to spread your form of hate. This has noting to do with Bush. It was a tragic accident, never meant to happen.

I pary for all the people involved and hope that the medical community uses this as a lesson.

[smiley676]

You shouldn''t have to register to NOT allow something. That should be automatic. It should be your choice to choose to do something.