Extending your life story: Westmoreland Coroner's Office joins effort to encourage organ donation

Although Cassidy Gamble is no longer just a phone call away from her father, she knows his kind personality still inspires others.

After James Forish passed away on August 1st, he became a tissue donor, allowing him to continue living his life in a different way while helping others heal. That gave Gamble, who lives in Hempfield, peace of mind in the months that followed.

“There's a little bit of hope that this is not the end of his story,” she said.

Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson is working with other families to provide similar comfort through a partnership with O'Hara's Organ Recovery and Education Center. To date in 2023 and 2024, a total of 80 families have been referred to the center by Deputy Coroner Westmoreland, and 24 families have become tissue donors. One tissue donor can save up to 75 lives.

While hospitals are required by law to make such referrals when a person dies, county coroners and coroners are not required to do so, said TJ Roser, CORE funeral home and coroner liaison. said. The Allegheny County coroner works with CORE, but not many other counties do, he said.

If a person dies outside of a hospital and a coroner or medical examiner responds, that person can only provide tissue. Tissues include skin, bones, cornea, tendons, and heart valves. In such cases, organ donation may not be possible as an autopsy may be required. Certain medical conditions or drug use may preclude tissue donation — only 3 to 4 percent of people who die qualify as tissue donors, Roeser said.

Once a referral is made, CORE is responsible for coordinating with the family to assess interest.

While this is not an additional step for Carson's lawmakers to take, Carson said it could potentially be meaningful for people who contact his office. CORE approached him shortly after taking over the coroner's duties in 2022.

“I never thought we would be in a position to help so many people,” Carson said. “Oftentimes we just see too much death and misery and families reeling, but now lawmakers are thinking something good can come out of it.”

The Allegheny County Coroner referred approximately 14,000 people to CORE in 2023 and 2024, 141 of whom became tissue donors. That office has worked with CORE for more than a decade, and referrals are part of an automated computer-based system. Westmoreland's introduction will be done manually by a lawmaker.

According to Donate Life America, approximately 2.5 million tissue transplants are performed annually. CORE plans to honor Carson in 2025.

“It's something he does voluntarily,” Roeser said. “He doesn't have to do it. … He's doing this out of the goodness of his heart.”

generosity continues

Folish, a 65-year-old Unity resident known as “Jimbo,” was an avid traveler whose curiosity spanned many passions. He loved experimenting with new technology and trying out different hobbies, including scuba diving, fly fishing, riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and playing the guitar. Gamble, who works as an organ procurement coordinator at CORE, inherited 12 guitars.

“He always dabbled in a little bit of everything,” she said.

Mr. Forish was employed by Master-Lee Energy Services as a business development manager. According to his obituary. That work had taken him all over the world, and he wanted to return to Yellowstone National Park, a place he and Gamble had visited many years earlier.

She remembered her father as a friendly and generous man who donated tissue to her after he suddenly died at home from cardiac arrest. Gamble is happy to know that his neighbors may also have a chance.

By expanding its footprint in Westmoreland, CORE has the potential to connect with more people grieving the loss of a loved one, Roeser said.

“It's rewarding for me,” he said. “We believe every family should have that opportunity.”