Every Second Counts

I helped save a life.

Last night the phone was ringing: "Take off in 2 hours for an Emergency Medical Flight". In other words, organ transport. I thought to myself “Nice! I love flying, especially for this kind of mission.”

The surgeons that need to be taken to the site to harvest the heart have arrived. We normally have time to have a cup of coffee with them. Then, we proceed to safety demonstrations on board and take off!

We arrived on site in the middle of the night. I can not tell you the destination which remains secret to preserve the anonymity of the donor but it was in the south of France. For us, it is more than just waiting and preparing for the return flight just so that it is optimal. The time on site is between 2 and 8 hours depending on the organ and the organization at the hospital.

The day was breaking. I haven't slept but I hold on to the fact that I have the best job in the world -- an office with an incredible view. Sacrificing a night's sleep to help save a life is not much.

The heart only survives 4 hours outside the human body. We were on a clock.

It was a great thing that the weather was perfect for the return to Paris that morning. We dropped off the doctors at the ambulance that was escorted by police officers. They do this to save time because every second counts.

I was back home and I was finally able to go to bed at noon after a long night of adrenaline. I’m so proud to be a part of a link in this immense human chain that is organ transplant.

Think about organ donation and who you might save one day. I’m so proud to be part of a team like this!