Dave Kane, from Cape Elizabeth, Maine received dire news about his health four years ago. The man had always been in good shape, yet doctors discovered can.cer in the bile ducts of his liver and told him that the only way to save his life was to receive a liver transplant.
Therefore, he put out the word to his family and all of his friends. When hearing about his condition, his friend Sara Kate Gillingham felt “called” to see if she was a match!
Dave says his “diagnosis was pretty grim,”. However, he was still very lucky because Sara Kate turned out to be a perfect match! This woman even was willing to go under the k.n.i.f.e to give Dave 60 percent of her healthy liver to save his life.
Sara Kate explained: “I don’t know. I just felt a calling,” “I felt like I am in a really good position to do this. It’s really nice to be able to sit here and smile and laugh about it. But it was a very dark time.”, she added.
Sara Kate and Dave both recovered nicely from their surgeries. When they finished their first post-transplant year, followed by a second and a third, their bond grew even stronger. Sara Kate and Dave decided to run 26.2 miles in the New York City Marathon to commemorate the fourth anniversary of their successful transplant!
The event served as a fundraiser for the American Liver Foundation. Because of the media attention given to their unique experience, they have been able to raise awareness for living organ donation, a cause they are both enthusiastic about. Sara Kate has a special place in Dave’s heart for the great gift she gave him.
Dave said: “Sara Kate saved my life,” “That’s what’s so great about this opportunity to run and to publicize, you know, the incredible bravery and generosity and love of Sara Kate and the opportunity to be a donor.”
According to Sara Kate, her donation made her life more meaningful. The woman also hopes their story shows people they can “make a bigger impact on the world than you think is possible by doing this.”. Currently, she volunteers with other living donors to educate them on the process and recovery.