That's why you have to personalize the issue for them. Never try to appeal to someone's "better nature". They may not have one. Instead, appeal to their own self-interest. That will give you more leverage. If it was my kid? I'd make sure that every member of the board knew that if I thought that they had not each done their very best to save my child, then they should get their affairs in order. Pictures of their cars parked in the parking garage at the hospital. Pictures of the front of their houses and offices. Because after I bury my kid, I'm going have a lot of time on my hands and nothing else to do.