A Heartwarming Dance and a Tender Liver Exchange
High School Companion Emerges as Liver Donor for Ex-MLB Pitcher After Two Decades Apart
In the halls of Cleveland Clinic, a heartwarming dance took place, but it wasn't just any dance; it was a father-daughter moment between Ava Cooper, 10, and her father. Ava's been hospitalized for over 200 days, waiting for a new heart, so the clinic decided to bring the dance directly to her.
Meanwhile, Steven Register, a 42-year-old former MLB pitcher, embarked on a daunting battle against stage 4 colon cancer. Faced with grim news - only a year to a year and a half to live, according to doctors - he and his wife, Beth, sought alternatives. Their quest led them to Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center, where Steven underwent surgery for a temporary ostomy bag and began chemotherapy.
However, plans for a liver resection were halted when doctors discovered the tumors were too large. With a transplant as their best hope, Beth created a Facebook group in search of a living liver donor.
Years ago, in a small town high school, Steven crossed paths with a simple Facebook post from a long-lost acquaintance. Kristin Johnston, now a 40-year-old preschool teacher from Roswell, Georgia, had seen Steven's post and recognized him from their days at Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia. Over two decades had passed since they last spoke, but the call to help fueled Kristin to volunteer.
Determining compatibility takes more than mere blood type matches; size and segment of the liver are crucial, overall health and medical history are crucial, and emotional support is vital. But, for Kristin, the call to extend her life to save another resonated deeply. She took the leap, offering to donate a portion of her liver to Steven, should they be matches.
As it turned out, they were, and Kristin's life would be paused, and Steven's extended - perhaps by many years. Both their surviving halves of the liver would regenerate, granting both a second chance at health.
Beth Register hopes their family's story increases awareness of living organ donations, a little-known yet profound option for recipients. She believes fate had a hand in reconnecting them, praying God was opening the right doors for Kristin to be the perfect donor for Steven.
Insights from Liver Donation
Living liver donations may be rare, especially among young adults, but they are crucial in alleviating the shortage of liver donors and saving lives. Innovative cases, such as those in Korea, have shown significant growth in the number of living donor liver transplantation cases.
Compatibility between liver donors and recipients involves several key factors, including blood type, liver size and segment, health and medical history, emotional and psychological support, and genetic relationships. Each factor plays a crucial role in determining the success of a transplant and the safety of the donor. However, challenges exist, such as the potential for long-term health issues for donors, necessitating better long-term support for those who choose to donate.
- The heartwarming dance at Cleveland Clinic reminded Ava Cooper of the joy she finds in health and wellness activities like sports, such as watching baseball games with her father.
- In the midst of his battle against stage 4 colon cancer, StevenRegister recognized the importance of a balanced health-and-wellness lifestyle, drawing inspiration from the medical-conditions he read about in science books.
- As she awaits surgery to donate a portion of her liver to Steven Register, Kristin Johnston reflects on the implications of her choice on her future health, pondering the science behind the regeneration of livers, offering a second chance at health for both them.
