Kansas City, KS- Christinia Schadegg, a patient with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), received a life-saving liver transplant from an anonymous donor.

Despite initial fatigue and limitations, Christinia's condition improved significantly post-transplant.

The transplant team, including Drs. Ryan Taylor and Clay King, highlighted the importance of living donor liver transplants, noting that 24,000 people are on the waitlist.  

Christiana Schadegg, patient

• Christinia shares that medication helped but eventually became ineffective, leading to the decision for a transplant.
• She recounts her initial reaction to learning about the anonymous donor and the three-year wait for a donor.

Dr. Sean Kumer, Chief Medical Officer and Transplant Surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System

• Dr. Sean Kumer mentions new research on living donor liver transplants, showing encouraging results on long-term safety.

Dr. Ryan Taylor, Hepatologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• Dr. Taylor highlights the importance of donor cards and family conversations about organ donation.
• He outlines the short-term risks for living donors, including bile leak and post-operative pain.
  
  

Dr. Clay King, Transplant Surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System

• Dr. King explains the process of liver regeneration in both the donor and recipient.
• He discusses the improvements in donor safety over the years, attributing it to advancements in technology and imaging.