About Donation Advocates
Founded by a father-daughter team, Donation Advocates, LLC offers specialized training programs designed to empower organ procurement organizations (OPOs) to achieve Tier 1 status, maximizing donation opportunities and saving and healing more lives.
Donation Advocates, LLC was founded on the belief that every life has the potential to give the gift of life. We're a father-daughter team, Brent and Isabella Whetstone, driven to increase organ donation rates by empowering those on the front lines.
Isabella quite literally grew up in the OPO industry, taking a keen interest in organ donation at just 10 years old. Next year, she takes her passion a step further, beginning her college journey towards a nursing degree.
With our team of experienced family service coordinators and hospital development specialists, we've designed a training program that specifically meets the needs of OPOs and their drive for Tier 1 status, thus saving and healing more lives.
Our focus is on:
* Maximizing Donation Opportunities: Equipping coordinators with proven communication strategies and best practices to navigate sensitive conversations and optimize authorization rates.
* Positive Donation Experiences: Cultivating compassion and understanding to ensure a supportive and respectful experience for grieving families considering organ donation.
* Strengthening Hospital Partnerships: Fostering collaborative relationships between OPOs and hospitals to streamline processes and promote a shared commitment to donation.
With our combined experience and passion for this life-saving mission, we're dedicated to making a lasting impact on the field of organ donation.
Brent Whetstone, MDiv, MATS
Founder & CEO
Brent Whetstone is a nationally recognized leader in organ procurement, with a passion for compassionate care, strategic leadership, and meaningful advocacy. With over a decade of experience in the field, Brent has served as a chaplain, trainer, and Family Services leader—guiding families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives with empathy, clarity, and dignity.
As the former head of Family Services at Lifeline of Ohio, Brent oversaw a $1.5 million departmental budget, led a high-performing team of professionals, and implemented data-driven initiatives that improved donor authorization rates while honoring the sacredness of every “yes.” His approach balances operational excellence with a deeply human touch, rooted in his background in healthcare chaplaincy and his own family’s experiences with addiction, loss, and healing.
Brent is also the author of the forthcoming book Anatomy of a Yes: Field Notes from an Organ Donation Advocate in Appalachia. This deeply personal and powerful collection explores the emotional, ethical, and cultural complexity of organ donation in rural America. Written from the front lines of grief and hope, the book offers a rare and unfiltered look into the world of donation professionals and the families who say yes in the face of unimaginable loss.
Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration at Oklahoma State University, Brent is committed to advancing the field of organ donation through education, policy, and authentic storytelling. He continues to consult, train, and speak nationwide on the vital role of Family Services in saving lives through donation.
Isabella Whetstone
Co-Founder and Clinical Intern
Isabella Whetstone is a driven and compassionate individual with a lifelong passion for organ donation. As a high school senior, she's already taking college courses and will be graduating this year with both her high school diploma and an associate's degree.
This fall, Isabella will begin her nursing program at Hiram College, where she is eager to further her knowledge and skills in healthcare. Her ultimate goal is to become an organ procurement coordinator, where she can combine her passion for helping others with her dedication to increasing organ donation rates.
Isabella's commitment to this life-saving mission stems from her upbringing, where she was immersed in the world of organ donation through her father's work.
Now, she's ready to make her own mark in the field and contribute to saving and healing lives.