LIVER DONOR NEEDED FOR PETER MONKS
Peter Monks is an 8-year-old boy who lives with his parents in Trumbull, CT. In June 2014, Peter was diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer(hepatoblastoma). Peter’s doctors have recommended a liver transplant. None of Peter’s family members qualify as a “living donor”.
Q. WHO QUALIFIES AS A LIVING DONOR?
A. The basic requirements for Peter’s donor are: (a) between 21 and 55 years of age, (b) good physical health, (c) not obese, (d) type “O” blood (“O negative”, preferred), and (e) altruistic motivation. The potential donor will go through a completehealth and suitability screening by an evaluation team. If accepted, the donor will be placed under the care of his/her own medical team at the transplant center.Donors have separate teams from recipients to avoid conflicts. Potential donors will need to schedule appointments and tests with his/her teams.
Q. WHERE WILL THE DONOR EVALUATION AND SURGERY BE PERFORMED?
A. New York Presbyterian – Columbia Hospital on W. 168th Street in Manhattan (just off the Henry Hudson Highway, near the George Washington Bridge). It’s about an hour drive from Trumbull.
Q. DOES A LIVER DONOR INCUR MEDICAL COSTS?
A. As a general matter, the donor’s medical costs are covered by the recipient’s medical insurance. You will receive further and specific financial information during the review process.
Q. HOW LONG WILL A DONOR BE HOSPITALIZED?
A. According to the literature, donors are generally hospitalized for 5 to 7 days post-surgery.
Q. HOW MUCH OF A DONOR’S LIVER WILL BE REMOVED?
A According to the literature, when the recipient is a child, then approximately 25% of the adult donor’s liver is removed. Further, per the literature, the donor’s liver generally regenerates and grows back within a few months. The donor should consult with his/her evaluation and medical teams on this issue.
Q. ARE THERE RISKS TO THE DONOR?
A. Yes. It is surgery. The donor should consult with his/her evaluation and medical teams on this issue.
To learn more, please read the on-line pamphlet titled “Living Donor – Liver Transplantation” which can be found on the Yale New Haven Transplant Center’s website at: See also, NY Presbyterian’s Living Donor webpage at you meet the basic requirements shown above and are interested in becoming Peter’s donor, then please contact Peter’s father, Tom, at (203)209-7444 or . Thank you.