Catherine Mornhineway and Andrew Ford faced a heartbreaking decision when their unborn daughter was diagnosed with anencephaly, a severe birth defect that affects brain and skull development. Despite knowing their baby would not survive long after birth, the couple chose to carry the pregnancy to term in hopes of giving life to others through organ donation.
At a 14-week ultrasound, Mornhineway, 30, felt exhilarated. The couple, already parents to three children, anticipated the gender reveal during the appointment. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when the ultrasound technician requested a second opinion. Shortly after, a doctor delivered the devastating news: their baby girl had anencephaly, and life expectancy was grim. “Most people terminate,” the doctor informed them, stating the condition was “incompatible with life.”
The couple grappled with the diagnosis for three weeks, weighing the option of termination against their desire to cherish the brief time they might have with their daughter. Their resolve was strengthened after Mornhineway recalled an episode of *Grey’s Anatomy* where a mother in a similar situation chose to carry her baby to term and donated the child’s organs. Inspired, Mornhineway and Ford decided to give their daughter a name—Haven—symbolizing a safe place and a light in darkness.
Mornhineway’s pregnancy was classified as high-risk, prompting a referral to the Women’s Center at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. Nurse navigator Laurie Van Damme played a pivotal role in coordinating care and facilitating communication with LifeLink, an organ procurement organization. Van Damme understood the emotional weight of the couple’s journey and advocated for their wishes to ensure Haven’s legacy would help others.
As the pregnancy progressed, the couple prepared their children—four-year-old Raeya, two-year-old Malakai, and twelve-year-old Chloe—for the impending loss. Ford emphasized the importance of transparency, particularly for their eldest daughter: “We just wanted her to understand completely and wholly what was going to happen.”
On December 11, 2024, Haven Sariah Renee Ford was delivered via C-section, weighing six pounds despite her condition. Immediately after birth, she was placed on life support while medical staff assessed her organs for donation viability. During her short life, the family created lasting memories, holding and kissing her, and introducing her to relatives.
Haven lived for four precious days, during which her family made the most of their time together. They took her outside to feel the sun on her face, a moment made possible by the hospital staff who honored the family with an “honor walk.” Hospital personnel lined the corridor, some in tears, as the family passed with Haven in Mornhineway’s arms.
On December 14, life support was turned off. In a final, tender moment, Mornhineway and Ford held their daughter without medical equipment intervening. As they mourned her passing, Haven became the youngest donor ever operated on by LifeLink recovery surgeon Jacentha Buggs. Buggs expressed admiration for the family’s choice to donate, stating, “In one of their darkest moments emotionally, to bless another child with the opportunity of life is incredibly selfless.”
Haven’s heart valves are expected to assist multiple patients awaiting transplants, while her placenta was donated for skin grafts. The family hopes that their story will inspire others to consider organ donation. Although they continue to navigate their grief, they find solace in the belief that Haven may have contributed to another family’s hope. Ford reflected on their experience, saying, “It’s just so worth it.”
This poignant story illustrates the profound impact of love and selflessness, even in the face of unimaginable sorrow.