In transplant medicine, it is sometimes common for a chain of living donors to emerge, where one donor’s selfless act inspires the family member or friend of a recipient to also donate, creating a ripple effect that ultimately saves several lives.
Dr. Amit Tevar
Amit Tevar, MD, MBA, surgical director for kidney and pancreas transplant at UPMC’s Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute and Clinic at UPMC Montefiore has the honor to work with and meet these incredible people. Last year, Dr. Tevar was part of just such a chain of life saving living donors.
Pittsburgh native, Eve Alden first donated a portion of her liver in 2023. “I had such a great experience, that at my one-year follow up appointment, I asked about donating a kidney,” Eve recalled. Less than two weeks after being evaluated as a donor, Eve donated her kidney to Erin Wheeler.
Erin had her first kidney transplant when she was 10 years old thanks to her dad’s donation. More than 30 years later, Erin found herself back on the transplant list. While her mother was a match, Dr. Tevar hoped to find a younger kidney.
Erin and Eve
Eve and Erin’s surgeries happened on Aug. 6, 2024. At the same time, Erin’s mom donated her kidney to someone closer to her age — creating additional links in this chain of generosity.
The ripple effect that started with Eve’s donation keeps growing. Dr. Tevar says that so far, six transplants have happened, and the chain continues to grow.
Read Eve and Erin’s full story in the April issue of First Friday.
Note: some links within the digital magazine are only accessible for UPMC employees and will not open for external readers.
Related Posts:
