Three years ago, Anthony Hoover, also known as TJ, found himself in a Kentucky hospital where staff were preparing to harvest his organs. At 33 years old, Hoover had been admitted following a drug overdose, and the medical team had painted a dire picture: brain damage, absence of reflexes, and a vacant gaze. The medical consensus, as relayed by TJ's sister, Donna Rhorer, was that he was brain-dead, a verdict that was starkly recorded in his medical files, and life support was set to be withdrawn. As an organ donor, TJ was a prime candidate for organ donation, and his family, moved by the potential to save other lives, agreed to honor his wishes. On October 29, 2021, TJ was taken to the operating room for a five-hour procedure, but less than two hours in, the family was informed that TJ had regained consciousness. While the family considered this a miraculous event, former employees of the organ procurement organization involved in TJ's case saw it as a grave breach of trust, a "disaster" that should never have occurred, with a man who was clearly conscious and resisting ending up on the operating table, only to be discharged weeks later. Baptist Health in Richmond, Kentucky, and the organ procurement group declined to comment, with the hospital stating that patient safety is their utmost priority and that they work closely with patients and families to respect organ donation wishes. The organ procurement group, now known as Network for Hope after a merger, stated that they have reviewed the case and are confident that standard practices and protocols were adhered to, dismissing the case as being inaccurately portrayed by individuals uninvolved in the matter. However, the troubling details of TJ's case have led to an investigation by Kentucky's attorney general to determine if criminal charges are warranted, and both federal and congressional investigations are underway. Critics of the nation's organ procurement system warn that TJ's story is not an isolated incident and advocate for significant reform and oversight to prevent future occurrences.

By October 2021, TJ Hoover had been battling anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as stated by his sister. He had left high school after losing two brothers to drug addiction and had joined the Job Corps at 16 in search of a sense of purpose. However, the memories of the dead bodies he encountered while cleaning up after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita haunted him. The medications prescribed to him left him feeling detached, affecting his ability to work, and he eventually turned to illicit drugs for relief. Despite his awareness of the dangers of drugs, following the deaths of his brothers, TJ struggled to quit, with occasional success. On October 25, 2021, the night of their mother's birthday, TJ overdosed and was found unconscious. Emergency medical technicians performed CPR and rushed him to Baptist Health, where a scan revealed brain damage due to swelling. TJ was moved to the ICU, and his family, seeing no improvement after two days, allowed his status to be changed to Do Not Resuscitate. Instead of removing life support, representatives from the organ procurement organization arrived, informing the family that TJ's organs could save lives if they honored his registration as an organ donor. The medical records indicate that TJ was declared brain-dead and prepared for organ harvesting on October 29. An honor walk, a tradition for organ donors, was held for TJ, with hospital staff lining the halls in a show of respect. However, shortly after, the family was informed that TJ had woken up.

Nycki Martin, a former organ procurement worker and aspiring surgeon, discovered TJ's story on TikTok. She recognized the case from her time at the organ procurement organization and reached out to TJ's sister, suspecting that the family was unaware of the full story. Medical records revealed that during a heart catheterization performed hours before the scheduled organ harvest, TJ had shown signs of consciousness, including purposeful movement and eye tracking. Despite this, the procedure was continued with the use of paralytic and sedative drugs. Hospital staff expressed discomfort, with some equating the situation to euthanasia. The organ procurement organization insisted that the decision to proceed was the family's, despite the clear signs of TJ's consciousness.

Donna Rhorer, TJ's sister, was unaware of these details and learned more after Martin contacted her. Martin also alerted a patient advocacy organization and wrote to Congress about the case. Rhorer's attorneys have requested all of TJ's records but have not received those from the organ procurement organization. The realization that TJ was not brain-dead and had shown signs of consciousness during the heart catheterization led Rhorer to believe that the family would have made a different decision had they known the truth.

The case raises questions about the ethics of organ donation, particularly in cases where patients are not brain-dead but may still become organ donors after circulatory death (DCD). Dr. Robert Cannon, an expert in the field, explains that DCD is ethical as long as the family is aware of the process. However, he has witnessed undue pressure to continue with organ procurement even when patients show signs of consciousness. Natasha Miller, an organ perfusionist at the time of TJ's case, also felt that the procedure went too far. She received texts questioning the organ procurement since TJ seemed aware and resistant. Despite this, the organ procurement organization continued to push for the procedure. Miller witnessed TJ's agitation and tears, and his attempts to communicate "no" through head shaking. The procedure was ultimately stopped when the pronouncing physician refused to declare TJ dead, deeming it inhumane and unethical.

After the procedure was halted, TJ was returned to the ICU, and his condition improved. His sister, Donna Rhorer, took him home to care for him, dedicating herself to his recovery. Despite initial predictions that he would not improve, TJ became strong enough for therapy and even walked his sister down the aisle at her wedding. Although he faces challenges such as memory, vision, and balance issues, TJ continues to receive physical therapy and maintains his sense of humor. Rhorer believes that her brother was misinformed about his condition and that his humanity was overlooked. She is now determined to share their story to prevent similar incidents, advocating for the ethical treatment of organ donors.