Army Veteran Timothy Yablonski received a portion of his stepdaughter's liver in March. The surgery happened when VA Pittsburgh Healthcare partnered with UPMC to perform the first-ever VA living-donor liver transplant.
Stepdaughter applied first as a donor
Yablonski's stepdaughter, Alyssa Last, said that she wanted to help as soon as they found out that her stepdad could receive a living-donor liver transplant. She was the first to apply and got evaluated for it. The 54-year-old Army Veteran was suffering from liver cirrhosis for more than five years already.
He said that his stepdaughter's generosity saved his life. It made him feel incredible that his daughter wanted to support him. His doctor told him after the transplant that Last kept him alive.
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The duo believed that the transplant match and successful surgery were all meant to be. They took personal strength and connected the surgery date and a Bible verse that they value. Yablonski said that they had the surgery on March 16, 3-16, just like the verse John 3:16. He believes that it is a promise.
Not blood related but they matched
A year ago, Last was involved in an accident that required surgery and hospital care. Last said that there is no way for her to go through the liver transplant surgery because of the injuries she acquired from the accident.
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She felt it was amazing because she was healthy enough to do so. For her, it was all meant to be because they matched perfectly even though they were not related biologically.
Lindsey Herlinger, VA Pittsburgh transplant administrator, said that any Veteran eligible for VA care could opt for a living donor if he or she needs a transplant. She explained that it is helpful for those who would wait for a long time for an organ. She also said that they would not have to wait for a long time, plus they help free up space from the deceased donors' list.
U.S. Army Veteran Timothy Yablonski received a portion of liver from his daughter, Alyssa Last, which saved his life. We... Posted by VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System on Monday, August 17, 2020
Wore matching shirts
In late June, the father-daughter wore matching shirts when they returned for follow-up care. Yablonski's shirt wrote that he carries a part of his daughter wherever he goes, while Last's shirt wrote that her dad has always been one of her heroes, now, she is one of his. Both statements ended with the date they had the surgery.
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One of the 13 VA transplant centers, VA Pittsburgh performs in-house kidney, liver, and living-donor kidney transplants. It is the only VA hospital that accepts both small bowel transplants and living-donor liver transplants.
Chief transplantation at UPMC and one of Yablonski's surgeon, Dr. Abhinav Humar, said his thoughts. He that they should offer all Veterans with such transplants. He said that Yablonski's case was special because the medical center was able to partner with VA colleagues. He was glad to offer a life-saving procedure that was not available before.
