Anatomy of a Yes: Field Notes from an Organ Donation Advocate in Appalachia

by Brent Whetstone

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.

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Amanda Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obligatory mention that I know the author.
Loved this look at his experiences with walking alongside families during the hardest times of their lives.
It's especially timely to read as I prepare for to be a lay minister and think about the sacredness of silence and being there for others. That said - those are lessons all people need to learn.

[Isabella Whetstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anatomy of a Yes is an incredibly moving book, and a look into the world of organ donation, told by someone who has actually been there with families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Brent Whetstone writes honestly and with a lot of heart, showing how grief and hope can exist at the same time. What makes the book stand out is how it also highlights the reality of life in Appalachia, a region that doesn’t always get noticed in public-health conversations. It’s emotional, reflective, and surprisingly uplifting a meaningful read that really makes you think about compassion, legacy, and what it means to say “yes” in the face of loss.