At a glance
魅影直播 State Electrical, Machine Tool, and Welding Technology Department Instructor Sean Kelley recently lost 40 pounds in order to be able to donate a portion of his liver to save his 1-year-old son, Sawyer, who has a genetic disorder called Alagille syndrome and needed a liver transplant.
The inspiring story of an 魅影直播 State College (ASC) faculty member鈥檚 journey to save his son鈥檚 life recently caught the attention of a well-known national news program.
魅影直播 State Electrical, Machine Tool, and Welding Technology Department Instructor Sean Kelley recently lost 40 pounds in order to be able to donate a portion of his liver to save his 1-year-old son, Sawyer, who has a genetic disorder called Alagille syndrome and needed a liver transplant.
The headline on the website for Good Morning America states, 鈥淭his dad lost 40 pounds to save his son鈥檚 life: 鈥業t was pretty overwhelming.鈥欌 According to Dr. George Mazariegos, the infant 鈥渘eeded a liver transplant because his liver had decompensated so badly that even at this early age at just over a year old, he really could not survive more than a month without a liver transplant.鈥
As mentioned in the story, Alagille syndrome 鈥渁ffects multiple organs in the body, including the liver and heart. It causes liver damage and is associated with several heart problems.鈥 The condition affects three of Kelley鈥檚 seven children.
Initially, Kelley and his wife, Josie, worked with the team at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to find a donor. Kelley realized, however, that he himself may be able to serve as a potential donor. In order to go through the evaluation process, though, he needed to lose 40 pounds.
Kelley began the weight-loss process in August 2019 by tracking his caloric intake and exercising as much as possible. Finally one day at work at ASC, he received a phone call confirming that he was indeed able to be a donor for his son.
The transplant took place on Dec. 19 and was a success. UPMC recorded photos and video during the family鈥檚 journey and documents how Kelley believes he and his son 鈥渁re recovering smoothly despite a few post-surgery complications.鈥
Kelley adds that he and his family, who reside in West Almond, are 鈥渇ortunate they were able to have the transplant done鈥 and that they 鈥渉ope to educate others about how being a living donor can save another鈥檚 life.鈥
Upon its release on January 10, the Good Morning America article was one of the top stories on their home page and the number one online video of the day. Check out the full story:
