In a profound act of love, Catherine Mornhineway and her partner Andrew Ford chose to carry their baby to term despite a devastating diagnosis. At 14 weeks, an ultrasound revealed that their daughter, later named Haven Sariah Renee Ford, would be born with anencephaly, a severe birth defect that affects brain and skull development and is deemed incompatible with life.
Informed that most families terminate pregnancies under similar circumstances, the couple faced a heart-wrenching decision. However, they were reluctant to consider termination, feeling discomfort with the language surrounding it, which referred to their baby as a “surgical removal.” A turning point came when Mornhineway found inspiration from a television show depicting a similar situation, where a mother chose to carry her baby to organ donation. This resonated deeply with the couple, prompting them to seek a way to bring something positive from their grief.
Deciding to Carry to Term
After much deliberation, Mornhineway and Ford resolved to carry Haven to term, embracing the time they would have with their daughter, no matter how brief. Mornhineway expressed, “I was just like, that’s my little girl. I’m going to carry her and spend as long as I can with her.” They hoped to create lasting memories and provide a legacy of love through organ donation.
As the pregnancy progressed, Mornhineway was referred to the Women’s Center at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, where nurse navigator Laurie Van Damme played a crucial role in coordinating their care. Van Damme recognized the emotional weight of the couple’s journey and reached out to LifeLink, an organ procurement organization, to ensure they could facilitate the donation process.
During the pregnancy, the family prepared their children for the arrival of their sister. While the youngest, Raeya (4) and Malakai (2), were told that the baby was going to heaven, their eldest, Chloe Neve-Ford (12), was informed of the full circumstances. The couple decided to name their baby Haven, inspired by a trip to Ormond Beach and the idea of a sanctuary in a tumultuous time.
Haven’s Short Life and Lasting Impact
On December 11, 2024, Haven was delivered by C-section, weighing 6 pounds, a surprising weight given her condition. She was immediately placed on life support, allowing medical staff to assess her organ viability. For the four days that followed, her family made every moment count. They held her, made handprints, and took every opportunity to shower her with love.
“Everybody that held her cried, you know, but was also happy they got to meet her,” Ford said.
On her last day, the family requested to take Haven outside to feel the sun and breeze for the first time. Hospital staff honored this request, creating a poignant atmosphere as they wheeled her through the corridors lined with solemn hospital staff, all participating in a traditional honor walk for donors.
After Haven’s life support was turned off on December 14, her organs were surgically removed by Jacentha Buggs, the youngest donor she had ever operated on. Buggs noted the family’s selflessness during such a difficult time, highlighting the impact their decision could have on other families awaiting transplants.
Haven’s heart valves are expected to be used in several pediatric patients on transplant waiting lists, and her placenta was also donated for skin grafts. Mornhineway and Ford are now sharing their story in hopes of inspiring others to consider organ donation, finding solace in the knowledge that their daughter’s brief life may lead to a miracle for another family.
Reflecting on their experience, Ford remarked, “It’s just so worth it,” emphasizing the beauty of their journey, despite the heartache. The couple continues to navigate their grief, comforted by the legacy of love and life that their daughter brought to the world.
