Amanda Graham
Living Liver Donor
“I started the process of becoming a living liver donor for my best friend’s son, Max.” shared living liver donor, Amanda.
“Max was seven years old when he was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2023. Just a few months later, in February 2024, the doctors shared that he would need a liver transplant from either a deceased or living donor. At that point, I knew nothing of the process, but I filled out the forms immediately.
I matched with Max and passed every scan and test needed, but he received a liver from a deceased donor before our surgery date was scheduled. Since I was already approved for living donation, I decided to stay in the program and anonymously help another child in need.
Max improved after his transplant, was in remission from his cancer and went home. He was healthy for several months before his cancer returned.
During that time, I had matched with 2 other children, but we didn’t move forward with surgery for various reasons. On December 20th, Max passed away and I was matched with a 9-month-old baby girl named Sylvia.
Sylvia had biliary atresia which caused her liver and bile ducts to not function properly. I donated 31% of my liver to her, and today she is healthy, thriving and growing. As her donor, I am fully healed and back to my regular daily life.
I am honored to be a part of Sylvia’s life and to share Max’s story with others as an advocate for the good that donation can do. It is literally the gift of life and gives the blessing of more time.”
