ABSTRACT
This chapter is about the heart of the first heart donor Denise Darvall, who died in a car accident in 1967. Her heart and kidneys were removed and transplanted, and the heart was preserved and exhibited after the patient receiving the transplant had passed away. However, during her lifetime, Denise herself had never consented to its removal, transplantation, or preservation. Still, the operating surgeon is celebrated for his great achievement to this day. Starting with a pictorial description of the preserved heart, the chapter tells Denise’s story, discusses the multiple ontologies of organs as objects, and explains key gender aspects of organ donation.
