Woman Awakens Before Organ Harvest in New Mexico

In 2022, Danella Gallegos, a 38-year-old homeless woman, was declared unlikely to recover from a coma at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, leading her family to consent to organ donation. Before the scheduled organ retrieval, her family noticed signs of life, which were dismissed by donation coordinators, who allegedly suggested morphine to suppress movement. Doctors observed Gallegos blinking on command and refused to proceed with the surgery, resulting in her full recovery. Hospital staff reported feeling pressured by New Mexico Donor Services to continue, but the organization denied interfering in medical decisions. Gallegos subsequently filed a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services, prompting an investigation. The case has fueled debate over aggressive organ donation practices and medical protocols.