Field Notes from an Organ Donation Advocate in Appalachia
by Brent Whetstone
Anatomy of a Yes is a powerful journey into the hidden world of organ donation in rural America. Through unforgettable encounters in Appalachia’s hospitals, waiting rooms, and winding back roads, Brent Whetstone reveals how families facing their darkest moments choose generosity, hope, and life. Raw, compassionate, and deeply human, this book shows that behind every “yes” is a legacy that outlives loss.
Anatomy of a Yes is a firsthand account of life, death, and second chances in the overlooked hills and hollers of Appalachian America—told from the unique vantage point of a trauma chaplain turned organ donation advocate.
Set in emergency rooms, ICU corridors, and living rooms across Appalachian America, this book blends narrative nonfiction with cultural analysis to explore the intimate, complex world of organ donation in a region where trust in institutions is fragile, access to healthcare is uneven, and grief is often carried in silence.
Author Brent Whetstone brings nearly a decade of experience in chaplaincy and donation advocacy to the page, offering unflinching honesty and deep compassion as he guides readers through the sacred terrain of donor conversations, brain death declarations, and the quiet heroism of families who say yes. With a voice both clinical and pastoral, Whetstone captures the emotional, spiritual, and systemic realities of donation work in a part of America too often left out of the national conversation.
For readers of Being Mortal by Atul Gawande and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, Anatomy of a Yes is not just a memoir—it’s a field guide for empathy, a call to action for equity in donation, and a love letter to the resilience of Appalachian communities.
“I have been in healthcare for 30 years and never truly understood what all is involved in the process of organ donation. This book is a must read!!! The stories are amazing and allow the reader to gain perspective from many different aspects. I have a new appreciation for donors, families, and donor advocates alike! Highly recommend!”
Amazon Customer
“The people of Appalachia are truly the last marginalized population in this country- to the point where most Americans don't even think about what the community has endured socially, economically, and medically. Bringing his unique insight to this community, Whetstone draws back the veil to reveal this unique American experience in an eye-opening memoir of his ongoing work in the field of organ donation. ”
Irene A.
“From its first chapter, Anatomy of a Yes grabbed my heart. Brent Whetstone does something rare: he pulls back the curtain on organ donation with both transparency and compassion, showing not just the clinical details but the human cost, dignity, grief, and hope of every “yes.” The Appalachian setting adds layers of culture, heartbreak, and fierce generosity, a reminder that behind every donation are families, faith, history, and love. The writing is at once raw and reverent. The field notes feel lived-in: moments in waiting rooms, the hushed conversations, the spiritual weight of loss, and the tender aftershocks of legacy. Yet even in the darkest grief, there is grace. Whetstone treats donor families and medical teams with equal care and respect, and he never shies away from the difficult questions, ethics, emotional burden, what’s asked of the living. If you want a book that will shift how you see life and death, generosity and loss, this is it. It’s not just for anyone in medicine or donation work, it’s for anyone who wants to understand what it truly means to say “yes” in tragedy. I cannot recommend it highly enough. A gift for anyone who wants to be changed.”
Liam H.
Anchored in Hope. Carried by Story.
Inland Sea Press is a Great Lakes–based publishing imprint dedicated to stories that reflect compassion, faith, and the human experience. Founded by author and bishop Brent Whetstone, we publish works that rise from the heartland and ripple outward—books that explore healing, purpose, and place. From the quiet hills of Appalachia to the shores of Lake Erie, our mission is to share voices that inspire reflection and renewal. Every title we publish is part of a larger calling: to build connection, kindle empathy, and celebrate the light that endures in every story. Follow us for new releases, author insights, and stories that speak to the soul.