Help Support Ethan’s Journey
Dear friends,
We want to share something close to our hearts. Our son, Ethan, has Autoimmune Hepatitis, a chronic disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the liver.
Sadly, he needs a transplant to keep going. We’re reaching out to see if anyone might feel called to be his hero as a living donor. Could this be you, or someone you know?
Ethan is a young and otherwise healthy 22-year old. But without a transplant, he only has about 2–4 years to live.
The amazing thing about being a living donor is that they only need to give part of their liver. In about two months, it will grow back to nearly its full size. Livers are the only organ that can do this!
We know this isn’t a small ask—it’s a big decision. But right now, it’s the one thing that can save Ethan’s life. If you are healthy, under 60, and have A+, A-, O+, or O blood type, you could be a match.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has already registered—we’re so grateful! But we still need more folks to step up to ensure we find the right match.
And we thank all of you for keeping Ethan in your prayers, too. It means the world to us.
With gratitude,
The Howell family
Who wants to be a hero? Read on!
How can I help?
There are two key ways you can help Ethan:
1. Donate to Ethan’s GoFundMe page, and/or
2. Learn more about becoming a donor below!
I’m considering being a donor. What do I need to do?
Thanks for your interest! Anyone who is healthy, under the age of 70, with A+, A-, O+, or O- blood, could be a match.
To get started, please complete the Living Liver Donor Questionnaire on the UTSW Medical Center site, including the following information:
Recipient Name: Ethan Howell
Recipient’s DOB: 06/04/2002
Hospital: UT Southwestern
The coordinator will reach out to eligible candidates to review the application and discuss next steps. The transplant team will select the best candidates for the pre-qualification tests. If it doesn’t work out, they will move on to the next person on the list.
Where can I learn more about the Living Donor Liver Transplant program?
Check out this page and video for more information. If you still have questions, please contact one of our Living Liver Transplant Clinic coordinators listed below via email or phone.
UTSW Medical Center
University Hospital Liver Transplant Clinic
Living Liver Transplant Coordinator Team
Sam Kidane, BSN, RN, CCTN
Elena Lucas, BSN, RN, CCTC
Email: UTSWLivingLiverDonor@UTSouthwestern.edu
Clinic Phone: 214-645-1919 (ask to speak to one of our Living Liver Transplant Coordinators above)