Bob and Gary's Living Donor Story | UPMC

Robert Healy had a young daughter, a new baby on the way, and a busy work schedule — plenty to keep him busy.

But a keen sense of dedication and love for his extended family motivated him to take one more challenge: Saving his father-in-law’s life.

While sitting in the kitchen on the phone with their family, Robert learned that Gary was sick and in need of a liver transplant.

Robert’s first response was, “Can I be your donor?”

Learn more about living donor transplants at UPMC.

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“At first no one said anything. So, I asked again if I could do it,” Robert says. “I am sure they didn’t want to burden my family. But we’re family, so to me, it was a no-brainer.”

The number of people on the liver transplant waiting list grows each day, and, unfortunately, those who do not have a living donor must continue to wait for a deceased donor’s organ to become available. But living liver donors like Robert ensure patients on the liver transplant list can receive a life-saving transplant sooner, before their disease progresses to a severe stage.

RELATED: Your Living Donor Transplant: 3 Steps to Finding a Living Donor

In 2016, Robert and Gary underwent a successful living-donor liver transplant. Today, they’re thriving.

“It feels great,” Gary says. “It was a gift, and you certainly view life differently once you have this done.”

Editor's Note: This video was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .

About Transplant Services

For more than four decades, UPMC Transplant Services has been a leader in organ transplantation. Our clinicians have performed more than 20,000 organ transplant procedures, making UPMC one of the foremost organ transplant centers in the world. We are home to some of the world’s foremost transplant experts and take on some of the most challenging cases. Through research, we have developed new therapies that provide our patients better outcomes — so organ recipients can enjoy better health with fewer restrictions. Above all, we are committed to providing compassionate, complete care that can change – and save – our patients’ lives. Visit our website to find a provider near you.