For Northside Hospital Forsyth employee Yvonne, helping others has always been part of who she is. In 2025, that mindset led her to make an extraordinary decision: to become a living liver donor for a young man she had known most of his life.
Yvonne, an Alpharetta resident, donated 60% of her liver to a close friend of her son who was diagnosed in middle school with Primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic condition that often requires a transplant.
“We’ve known him since he was a kid,” Yvonne said. “When he mentioned he was looking into a living donor, I told him to put my name down.”
Months later, after testing at UPMC in Pittsburgh, Yvonne learned she was a match. Without hesitation, she moved forward. The transplant took place on July 3, 2025.
In the weeks leading up to surgery, Yvonne focused on preparing physically, incorporating daily walks around the hospital campus after work to build stamina. Mentally, her approach was simple.
“I’m 53. He’s 23. I’ve lived a good life,” she said. “Let’s give him a chance.”
The surgery and recovery went largely as expected. Yvonne spent several days in the hospital before returning home to Georgia. Her biggest concern was not her own recovery, but whether the recipient’s body would accept the transplant.
“There’s a moment where you just wait,” she said. “I was back in Atlanta, hoping everything would work. That was the hardest part.”
It did. Today, the recipient has returned to everyday life, spending time with friends and getting back to activities he enjoys. He recently went golfing with his friend, Yvonne’s son.
Yvonne hopes her experience helps others better understand living donation. With liver donations, the organ regenerates, allowing donors to return to full function. She also emphasizes that donation costs are typically covered, removing a common barrier for potential donors.
“It’s such a great thing to do,” she said. “You can save a life and still live a normal, healthy life yourself.”
If given the opportunity, Yvonne said she would do it again.
“It’s worth it,” she said. “If you can help somebody, do it.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING AN ORGAN DONOR.
