Our patient stories profile those who have had liver transplants at UPMC. Although everyone’s care experience is unique, we hope that sharing these stories will help prospective patients and their families better understand these procedures and their potential impact on patients’ lives.
Note: These patients' treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
Thomas Burke’s story spans more than 40 years of medical resilience. After becoming one of the earliest adult liver transplant recipients in 1981, he went on to receive a living‑donor kidney transplant and later supported his wife Helene through her own living‑donor liver transplant. Today, he continues to advocate for transplant patients and embraces life with determination and gratitude.
After being diagnosed with advanced liver disease, Lynn’s health steadily declined until a living‑donor liver transplant offered a second chance at life. With his son John as his donor and the support of his family and care team, Lynn underwent a successful transplant and embraced a renewed future filled with gratitude, purpose, and hope.
Brian was diagnosed with hemochromatosis, a genetic condition that causes the body to over-absorb iron from food. As a result of the build-up of iron in his body, Brian’s liver was damaged, and he needed a liver transplant. Brian’s five daughters immediately stepped up to help him. Brian’s oldest daughter April, an ICU nurse, became her father’s living-liver donor.
Kim Watt faced an unexpected battle with liver disease after years of being symptom-free and was placed on the transplant waiting list at UPMC. In December 2023, she received a life-changing call – an anonymous living donor had stepped forward. In February 2024, Kim underwent a successful liver transplant.
Arthur was added to the liver transplant waiting list after being diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). He received care close to home at the Liver Transplant Evaluation Clinic at UPMC Williamsport before undergoing a liver transplant in Pittsburgh. “I’m so lucky to have received the liver, and to that individual and their family, I am eternally grateful for the new lease on life I’ve been gifted.
After Brian was added to the liver transplant waiting list in summer 2022, a lifelong friend, Dan, stepped up to be his living donor. “He explained the living donation process to me, and in my mind, I’m thinking, ‘I’m doing this if I’m a match,’” Dan says.
After 29 years working in the United States military and a life of almost perfect health, Bud was diagnosed with cirrhosis. He needed a transplant, but at 75 years old, he knew that the surgery would be hard on him.
Darnell always knew that his son, Langston, was the kind of person who would do anything for others. Langston’s generous spirit was most evident when he stepped up to become his father’s living-liver donor in March 2023.
In July 2004, Denise received a new liver and a second chance at life.
After Eric was diagnosed with primary sclerosis cholangitis (PSC) – a chronic and progressive liver disease – one of his close friends, Isaiah, registered to be his living donor without hesitation. "When I first heard the news, I texted Eric and told him, ‘If you want a piece of my liver, you got it.'"
Family can be one of the most important components in life. In this case, sometimes family isn’t always your only option when it comes to help. By taking part in a living-donor liver transplant exchange, a total of four individuals were able to be a part of one life-changing moment that they will all cherish for the rest of their lives.
A living-donor liver transplant exchange starts when a person signs up to become a living donor without having a specific individual in mind for their donation. Instead, they donate a portion of their liver to someone on the waiting list who has an incompatible living donor. After taking part in a living-donor liver transplant exchange, a father and his son are now bonded for life with two strangers.
In 2017 James was diagnosed with stage 4 liver failure. James was told he would have 18 months to live if he didn't receive a liver transplant. His daughter stepped in to help.
After Mike was added to the liver transplant waiting list, his wife, Darla, shared his need for a living donor on social media. Teresa, whom Mike and Darla had not met at this point, saw Darla’s post that same day and registered to be Mike’s living donor.
Rebekah first learned about living donation when one of her students needed a kidney and liver transplant. After hearing their story Rebekah felt compelled to become a living donor and donated a portion of her liver and a kidney to two individuals whom she had never met.
Renee and Jill know each other from many years of their kids plays on the same sports teams. After Renee was added to the liver transplant waiting list in December 2021, Jill stepped up and registered to be her living donor.
In 2020, Rick was rushed to the hospital for an eye related injury. During his visit, he was given the surprising news that he had cirrhosis of the liver. When he was told he would need a liver transplant, his sister, Ida, stepped in to be his living donor. Learn more about Rick and Ida's experience at UPMC in Central Pa.
Vadim and his family were shocked when he was diagnosed with cirrhosis in 2018. After being added to the transplant waiting list, his wife, Tatiana, offered to be evaluated to be his living donor without hesitation. “I just couldn’t watch Vadim in his condition any longer,” Tatiana says.
When Wayne was told he had 15 years to live, he started living every day like it was his last. At only 25 years old, he was diagnosed with liver disease. As his symptoms worsened, he started to look for a living donor, and he found one in the most unlikely place.
