One family's tragedy gives life to others through organ donation
Podcast Episode
A Janesville family wants to turn their personal tragedy into hope for other families. Five-year-old Caleb Bertagnoli died after a tack become lodged in his wind pipe. His family decided to donate his organs. Kyle Geissler reports. A fund has been set up to help the Bertagnolis with Caleb's medical and funeral expenses. If you'd like to donate, visit Janesville branches of Johnson Bank at 1 S. Main St., 2021 Holiday Drive or 1309 N. Wright Road. A benefit will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Pontiac Convention Center, 2809 N. Pontiac Drive, Janesville. The event will include a silent auction, DJ and performance by Jesse Aron, Elvis tribute artist.
To help
A fund has been set up to help the Bertagnolis with Caleb's medical and funeral expenses. If you'd like to donate, visit Janesville branches of Johnson Bank at 1 S. Main St., 2021 Holiday Drive or 1309 N. Wright Road.
A benefit will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Pontiac Convention Center, 2809 N. Pontiac Drive, Janesville. The event will include a silent auction, DJ and performance by Jesse Aron, Elvis tribute artist.
Photo
Five-year-old Caleb Bertagnoli, in photo, died in early December and his family is doing its best to get along without him. Parents LeAnn and Dan Bertagnoli, holding siblings Caidee, 3, and Cole, 7, chose to honor Caleb ‘s life by donating his organs to several recipients throughout the country.
JANESVILLE — As a middle child, 5-year-old Caleb was good at sharing.
So when he died, his parents had no doubt he would want to share his organs.
"If Caleb had had the chance to get asked that question, he would have done it in a heartbeat," his mother, LeAnn Bertagnoli, said.
Caleb's story is tragic, but it gave hope to several families that received his organs for their children.
Caleb was a typical little boy, his parents said. He loved playing outside, fishing and digging in the dirt. He was messy and always seemed to need bandages or stitches.
He could still talk Dec. 13 when he told his parents he was choking on a thumbtack. The tack was lodged in his windpipe, and he eventually went into cardiac arrest and lost oxygen to his brain for about 15 minutes.
For three days, his parents, Dan and LeAnn, thought he would make it. He was transferred from Mercy Hospital in Janesville to American Family Children's Hospital, part of the UW-Madison hospital system. Doctors there took out the tack and put him into a coma, trying to cool his body to prevent swelling on the brain.
Doctors thought he would survive with some brain damage as they brought him out of the coma. But that night, his temperature and heart rate spiked as his brain started to swell.
Caleb was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m. Dec. 16. The doctors asked the Bertagnolis if they wanted to donate his organs.
"We both agreed to it right away," Dan said.
Hundreds of people around the country had been praying for Caleb through Internet prayer chains, LeAnn said. Those prayers weren't answered, but she wanted to help answer the prayers of other families.
"It's the worst feeling in the world, and if we could take that away …" she said. "I wish I could have heard that mother and father's phone call that they got."
After Caleb was pronounced dead, doctors flew in from all over the country to take his organs to other sick children. One got his heart, another got his lungs and two got pieces of his liver. His pancreas, intestines, corneas and kidneys also were donated, his parents said.
"You try to take the mental image of what's going to happen to your child out of your mind," LeAnn said. "You have to take that away and just think, 'They don't do him any good anymore.'"
Children under 18 make up about 10 percent of organ donors, said Dr. Tony D'Alessandro, interim chairman of the transplantation division at UW-Madison. Thankfully, they make up only about 2 percent of people waiting for organs.
Still, there are only about 800 child donors a year and more than 2,000 children on the waiting list, he said.
Children usually need smaller organs than adults, though they sometimes can receive kidneys or pieces of livers from their parents.
"They clearly are in need, and we don't have quite enough (organs)," D'Alessandro said.
Between 80 and 90 percent of parents who lose children donate their organs.
"There is a comfort that comes from being able to donate," D'Alessandro said. "There's some solace that the families obtain even though their child couldn't be saved."
That's how the Bertagnolis feel. They hope to meet the recipients of Caleb's organs someday, even though they have no idea what they want to say to those families.
For now, they take life one day at a time. Their other children, 7-year-old Cole and 3-year-old Caidee, understand that Caleb is in heaven, they said.
"It's making it a little easier for us to hear them talk like that," Dan said.
They don't know how to thank the hundreds of people who prayed for them and the dozens of people who have brought them food, Christmas presents and donations toward Caleb's medical care and burial expenses.
Dan and LeAnn never thought much about organ donation before, but they'll be forever tied to it now. They've already told Cole about what happened to Caleb's organs.
"He's already told us now that he thinks it was good and he likes that idea," Dan said.
Mar 30, 2010 at 8:48 p.m.
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god bless and thanks to all whom are organ donors..
Jan 5, 2010 at 9:32 a.m.
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I also have a son who is 5 years old and feel so awful about Caleb. It's every parent's nightmare to have that happen to a child. I'm sure he was a little piece of sunshine in the world. At least the Bertagnoli family made it so that his life helped and saved the lives of other children.
Jan 5, 2010 at 9:08 a.m.
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It's so great this family can take such a tragedy and make it into something great for other families. My heart goes out to them for their loss, but I thank them for being so selfless.
Jan 4, 2010 at 4:05 p.m.
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My thoughts and prayers are with this family (as well as with the recipient's of Caleb's organs), as they have been since I first heard this story.
Jan 4, 2010 at 3:25 p.m.
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What a truly inspiring story of generosity. You gave gifts of life to so many children. My prayers go out to you.
Jan 4, 2010 at 3:16 p.m.
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I encourage everyone to join lifesharers.org. It is wonderful, donate your organs to this group. Even if unusable, they can be used for medical research. Either way you are helping lots of human beings continue to live a healthy life. Adults and children alike. What a sad ending to a very short life! Please parents and grandparents, remember children are good at swallowing little items or sticking them in their noses or ears. My 5 year old granddaughter tried to swallow a bus token, thank God her mother knew what to do to get it out. Sit your youngsters down and explain this sad, but true, story to them and warn them of the dangers of putting anything into their body cavities. God Bless this family.
Jan 4, 2010 at 2:02 p.m.
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Yes this is wonderful what you did. I agree there isn't any point in burying or cremating good organs to save others. I am a donor and use whatever you can before you cremate me.
Jan 4, 2010 at 1:59 p.m.
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What a truly selfless act on the part of the family. I'm so sorry for the loss of Caleb, but I'm sure it helps knowing that they helped other children. My thoughts & prayers go out to the Bertognoli family!!
Jan 4, 2010 at 1:31 p.m.
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Caleb is truely an Angel, and your family is without saying all Hero's for doing what you have done. Thank God for people like you God Bless you all.
Jan 4, 2010 at 12:37 p.m.
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It makes me sick to my stomach to think about losing a child. I can't imagine the pain they must feel and commend them for doing such a selfless act of kindness for another human being. I don't know if I could be that strong. They are great people and deserve the best and my condolences go out to each of your family. :)
Jan 4, 2010 at 11:52 a.m.
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If more people were as generous as Caleb Bertagnoli, we wouldn’t have over 9,000 Americans dying every year waiting for organ transplants. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year.
There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage – give donated organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren’t willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 13,400 members, including 227 members in Wisconsin.
Please contact Dave Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers, if your readers would like to learn more about our innovative approach to increasing the number of organ donors. He can arrange interviews with some of our local members if you’re interested. His email address is daveundis@lifesharers.org. His phone number is 615-351-8622.
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Jan 4, 2010 at 11:20 a.m.
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My sympathies to the Bertagnoli family in the loss of their precious son.
Many thank's to you for thinking of other's in your time of sorrow.
Aside from the donation of organ's,the skin can also be donated.It would be used to help other's in burn unit's.
Jan 4, 2010 at 10:23 a.m.
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After reading this story from the family's perspective and from SarahB1's perspective, I couldn't imagine anyone going through that loss. Thank you for sharing and God Speed.
Jan 4, 2010 at 9:19 a.m.
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God bless you guys and the courage you have.
-AJ (You are soo brave LeAnn!)
Jan 4, 2010 at 9:16 a.m.
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Thank you for considering others in your time of sorrow.
Jan 4, 2010 at 8:50 a.m.
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My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God bless you in this time and throughout your lives.
Jan 4, 2010 at 6:52 a.m.
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To know that Caleb gave life to others understandably brings a peace. I know Caleb is smiling as he sees these other children enjoy their new lives. 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Jan 3, 2010 at 10:21 p.m.
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What an inspiring conclusion to a horrible tragedy. Assuming each donation went to a different recipient, at least 9 children now have the opportunity for full, normal lives. The selflessness of the Bertagnolis has given 9 other families hope for their children's futures. Not only has the Bertagnoli family been blessed by Caleb, even for so short a time, but so many others have been blessed by him as well.
Jan 3, 2010 at 9:19 p.m.
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UGGGH the web address is medcure.org. Hope it works right this time.
Jan 3, 2010 at 9:16 p.m.
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oops it's MEDCURE... I copied and pasted the web address.
Info@medcure.org
Jan 3, 2010 at 9:12 p.m.
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Not only can you donate your organs, but you can also donate your whole body. You sign up at medicure. They will first make every attempt to use your organs for those on transplant lists, but if they are not usable, or such, then they can be used for medical research. Your whole body is donated and they take and use what they can. the rest is cremated and returned to your family all at no cost to you.
It is a wonderful plan, one that my entire family is signed up for.
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As the saying goes...Don't take your organs to heaven...heaven knows we need them here.
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My condolences to the family and friends of this young man. 7 Thank you for your gift of life.
Jan 3, 2010 at 8:47 p.m.
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Take out your driver's license. Go ahead, take it out. Look on the back. Maybe you've ignored it until now. At the bottom is a place for you to check a box and sign to add yourself as an organ donor in the event of an accident. If you haven't done so, check that box now, sign it, and date it. Then the most important part comes. Tell your family that you want to be an organ donor. Tell them that you want to have the chance to help save someone else's life.
Jan 3, 2010 at 8:12 p.m.
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My mother was lucky to receive a kidney 5 years ago on Memorial Day, it was from a child(she is a tiny, tiny lady). Bless you for your gift of life, Caleb will live on forever not just in those he helped save but in all of us that have been blessed to read this story and will pay it forward on his behalf. Remember to tell your loved ones to donate your organs, sign your drivers license or be a living donor. Every person like this family can make a huge difference in so many lives. Thank you for the inspirational story.
Jan 3, 2010 at 7:18 p.m.
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Thankfully, the opportunity for a charitable act has provided a comfort to the Bertagnolis, and several second chances to other young children like Caleb.
Even in the grief of loss, we can gain.
Jan 3, 2010 at 7:07 p.m.
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What a sad, but inspirational story.
Jan 3, 2010 at 5:47 p.m.
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My heart goes out to the Bertagnoli family. Stay strong.
Jan 3, 2010 at 5:41 p.m.
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I am again sorry for your loss, and thank you for donating his organ to someone that really needs it. my hats off to the family.
Jan 3, 2010 at 5:28 p.m.
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I'm so sorry for your loss and thankful that you were able to donate your son's organs. My husband and I lost one of our twin daughters who was born silent. In my drugged and shocked state I asked if we could donate her organs, but obviously it was too late for that. No one wants to think about what they would do if they lose a loved one, a child, but I think organ donation is a wonderful gift for a sick child and their family. I know one little boy who has a second chance at life due to several organ transplants and his outlook is good because of selfless people like this family. In your grief, there is tremendous joy for another life...several lives, and that's a wonderful thing. You are amazing people :)
Jan 3, 2010 at 5:15 p.m.
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Hats off to the Bertagnoli family.
Jan 3, 2010 at 5:14 p.m.
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God bless you all, I am so saddened to hear of your tragic loss. What a wonderful thing you have done. Hopefully this will ease some of your pain.
Jan 3, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.
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This family is so strong I have a son close to the same age and I know there is noway I colud be as strong as they are having just lost their little angel.
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