World · Latin America · 4 hrs ago
Family of Goiânia transplant doctor donates his organs after his death
Júlio César Soares Barreto, a 57-year-old kidney specialist, died in Goiânia after a sudden cardiac arrest at home.
His wife and children authorized the donation of his organs, a decision shaped by the couple’s work and conversations about transplantation.
Barreto had worked with a kidney transplant team, while his wife, Regiane, teaches and researches organ donation and transplants.
A kidney and his liver have already been transplanted, and his other kidney and two corneas were made available to patients awaiting procedures.
His heart and lungs could not be used because of the length of the cardiac arrest.
The donation may help patients leave dialysis or regain sight, and the family said the possibility of helping others has brought some comfort.
Regiane hopes the story will encourage families to discuss organ donation while they are still alive.
The family of Goiânia nephrologist Júlio César Soares Barreto authorized organ donation after his death at age 57.
His wife, Regiane Santos Soares Barreto, and their children made the decision, which reflected the couple’s commitment to organ donation.
One of his kidneys went to a patient on the transplant waiting list served by the team where he worked, and his liver was also transplanted.
His other kidney and both corneas were made available to patients awaiting procedures.
His heart and lungs could not be used because of the time that had passed during his cardiac arrest.
- Who
- Júlio César Soares Barreto, a 57-year-old nephrologist, died; his wife and children authorized organ donation.
- What
- His family donated his organs after his death.
- When
- He died on Saturday, October 31; the articles were published on October 31 and November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Goiânia, Brazil.
- Why
- His family said the decision reflected his wishes and the couple’s commitment to organ donation and transplantation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Júlio César Soares Barreto died after suffering a sudden medical emergency and cardiac arrest at home.
His wife and children authorized organ donation.
The family learned that one kidney had gone to a patient on the transplant waiting list served by Júlio’s team and that the liver had been transplanted.
- Age
- 57
- Location
- Goiânia
- Time together
- 33 years
- Kidney transplants
- One kidney went to a patient on Júlio’s team’s waiting list; the other was made available to a patient awaiting a procedure.
- Other organs
- The liver was transplanted; both corneas were made available.
- Not used
- The heart and lungs could not be used because of the duration of the cardiac arrest.
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What people are saying
We did not only talk about it; we taught it. We considered it our life’s mission.
One of those kidneys went to one of their patients, from their waiting list. That makes us even happier. We have already learned that the liver was also transplanted.
I was crying uncontrollably, but after all that rush of paperwork, today I feel very relieved, more accepting of my husband’s passing. It is not easy and it will not be easy. We had 33 years together, two children and everything.