February 16, 2021 · Leave a Comment
Daughter quits smoking to donate liver to her mom
When she learned that a liver transplant could save her mom’s life, April Wilson didn’t hesitate to stop smoking and say yes to being a living donor. April Wilson smoked for 25 years and tried many times to quit, but nothing seemed to work. “I tried everything,” April says. “I used every replacement therapy, Chantix, […]
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Tags: Liver Transplant
February 11, 2021 · Leave a Comment
After 165-day stay, transplant patient says ‘I’m in the safest place I can be’
George Caceres came to Mayo Clinic with advanced liver disease and stayed for more than five months, much of it during COVID-19 restrictions. His care team made him feel safe and cared for. George Caceres’ smile is contagious. Just ask his Mayo Clinic care team, who came to know him well during his 165-day stay […]
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Tags: Daisy Award, Dr. Bashar Aqel, Hepatopulmonary syndrome, Lyda Velez, Maria Cook
January 19, 2021 · Leave a Comment
Chain of transplants gives gift of life to Minnesota teacher
Amy Infanger had a rare kidney disease and a difficult path to transplant. A transplant chain involving 16 people across the country got her the match she needed and the chance to grow old with her family. Nearly 100,000 Americans are on a waiting list to receive a kidney transplant. For one Minnesota woman, finding a […]
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Tags: Dr. Mikel Prieto, kidney transplant, Transplant Center
December 29, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Transplant patient says thanks ‘with all my old heart and new one’
Ernie Hernandez was battling congestive heart failure when he learned his liver was failing, too. On Oct. 26, he found answers to both issues with the first combined heart and liver transplant in Arizona. Ernie Hernandez was used to the hot Arizona sun. He was born and raised in Phoenix and worked as a contractor […]
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Tags: congestive heart failure
December 24, 2020 · Leave a Comment
10 years, 2 brothers, 2 transplants: the Wilson brothers’ story
The Wilson brothers’ connection goes deeper than the average siblings. They both were in serious need of a heart transplant. The brothers now have new hearts, a new perspective on life, and a new purpose. On the surface, John and Mark Wilson are model brothers. Growing up, the two would playfully pick on each other […]
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Tags: Churg-Strauss syndrome, Heart tranplant, Left Ventricular Assist Device
December 23, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Innovative transplant offers hope for patient with rare autoimmune disorder, few options
Faced with a condition that has no cure and few treatment options, Chris Ryals turned to Mayo Clinic in Florida for an answer. An innovative transplant essentially reversed his symptoms and gave him hope. As a career military man, Chris Ryals was used to being physically active. The Air Force master sergeant ran regularly, visited […]
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Tags: Dr. Andy Abril, Dr. Ernesto Ayala, Dr. Roxana Dronca, Scleroderma
December 8, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Son’s offer: ‘You gave me two kidneys. The least I can do is give one back’
Andrew Austin urged his mom to come to Mayo Clinic, where he works, for care for kidney disease. When he learned she needed a kidney transplant, he knew what he wanted to do. Jean Austin-Danner was in her 30s when she was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, an inherited condition that causes cysts on the […]
November 9, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Pat Lacy reflects on double lung transplant to treat pulmonary hypertension
He was not the first person in his family to be diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, so Pat Lacy knew the warning signs and took them seriously. And he was determined to find an answer. Pat Lacy had just landed in Utah for a business conference when he noticed he was having trouble breathing. “When I […]
January 31, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Breathing Easy After New Technology Offers a Path to Lung Transplant
Chuck Boetsch’s long journey to a successful lung transplant came to an end with a deep breath. That welcome breath was made possible by new technology that’s making more lungs available for transplantation.
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Tags: Dr. David Erasmus, Dr. Si Pham, Lung Transplant Program, Pulmonary Fibrosis
January 29, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Sweet Homecoming After Successful Heart and Kidney Transplants
The road home was long for Laura Richardson as she battled through medical setbacks, and a protracted wait for a heart transplant and a kidney transplant. But when Laura finally returned healthy and happy to her beloved farm in Iowa, the reunion with friends and family was especially heartwarming.
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Tags: Dr. D. Eric Steidley, Heart transplant, kidney transplant, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center