To the Editor:

I read with interest the article by Shaner et al.1 I also shared it with my family since we are longstanding The Wizard of Oz enthusiasts.

I would like to point out that although the Wicked Witch of the East may have suffered severe head trauma from Dorothy’s house, she was never proven to have met criteria for brain death (BD) (not in California nor Oz). As a matter of fact, there is no evidence that even cardiorespiratory function was properly assessed!

Furthermore, her closest kin (the Wicked Witch of the West) was never properly notified. She would not have been a suitable organ donor (especially after the ruby slippers were removed).

It is true that New Jersey is the only state with an “exemption clause” in a state statute, but please note that New York has an equally effective health regulation protecting those who have a religious objection to declaration of death by neurologic criteria. This “exemption” is routinely invoked and accepted in our community. I find it remarkable that we are still discussing ways to “inform families” after several decades of BD discussion.