Authors (including presenting author) :
Lam CW, Ng PPS, Wong WY, Koo JWM, Pong ML(1)
Affiliation :
Central Nursing Division
Keyword 2: :
Organ Donation
Keyword 3: :
Multidisciplinary
Introduction :
Organ donation saves lives, yet Hong Kong’s donation rate remains among the lowest worldwide, only 3.2per million population, leaving around 3,000 patients waiting for transplants. This challenge raises two pressing questions: How can we raise public awareness of organ donation, and how can we better support families who make the selfless decision to donate their loved one’s organ during their tragic loss? To address these needs, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) pioneered Hong Kong’s first-ever Honor Walk, a heartfelt tribute that honors donors and families while fostering compassion, unity and advocacy among healthcare professionals and broader community.
Objectives :
An Honor Walk is a solemn ceremony widely practiced in hospital overseas to mark a donor’s final journey from the ward to the operating theatre. Families, friends and hospital staff line the corridors in silent respect and gratitude. At QEH, the initiative was guided by the EPIS (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment) framework to ensure a structured, multidisciplinary, and sustainable practice suited to local culture and hospital operations.
Methodology :
Exploration: Inspired by international practices, the organ donation coordinator led a multidisciplinary team to adapt the Honor Walk for Hong Kong. Securing leadership support from QEH Chief Executive Dr. Eric Cheung was crucial in fostering unified leadership and cross-departmental collaboration. Preparation: Extensive consultations across frontline, administrative, and supporting teams addressed operational and emotional considerations. Training materials, informational resources, and symbolic elements, such as a dedicated blanket and family invitation card were developed. Participation was kept voluntary to preserve the authenticity and solemnity of the tribute. Implementation: The first Honor Walk was held in late 2024 for donor Mr. Yip, whose family’s consent made history. Since then, two Honor Walks have been successfully conducted at QEH, each coordinated with deep care and sensitivity. Multidisciplinary staff, families and friends joined together in silent procession, creating moments of sharing humanity and hope. Sustainment: The Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle was adopt to continuously refine each ceremony. Debriefings and feedback from staff supported continuous improvement.
Result & Outcome :
Families found healing and closure, Mrs. Yip described it as “a walk of love.” Staff expressed renewed purpose and pride, while coverage across local media and social platforms expanded public dialogue on organ donation. Through leadership commitment, teamwork, and compassion, the QEH Honor Walk transformed personal loss into collective hope—establishing a new, enduring tradition of gratitude and humanity in Hong Kong’s healthcare system.
