April is National Donate Life Month. It’s a time to recognize the life-saving impact of organ donation to honor the patients, families, clinicians, and researchers who make liver and other organ transplantation possible.
Transplantation is not only a clinical milestone, it’s a lifelong journey shaped by resilience and deep gratitude. While advances in science and care continue to improve outcomes, patient experiences reveal important insights that extend beyond clinical indicators alone.
In this feature, we spotlight two powerful perspectives: Beth Lehman, a liver cancer survivor approaching her five-year transplant anniversary, and Kareena, a pediatric transplant recipient now more than two decades post-transplant.
Beth Lehman
“Reaching the five-year mark on April 19 is a milestone that hits deep. As a transplant recipient, I’ve learned to treat every morning I wake up without a ‘check engine’ light flashing as a major win — but this anniversary feels especially significant. It brings a quiet sense of relief, marking five years of being cancer-free and a moment where the future begins to feel a little more certain.
At the same time, I never lose sight of the weight this date carries. While I celebrate five years of life, another family is marking five years of profound loss. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the 43-year-old man from North Carolina who gave me the most selfless gift I’ve ever received. I truly feel like I’m living for two now. With every new adventure, I find myself wondering if he’s experiencing it right there with me.”
Beth’s reflection captures both the hope and the complexity of transplantation, the lives saved, the futures restored, and the enduring gratitude that shapes each day forward.
Kareena
Kareena, is a liver transplant recipient whose journey culminated in the aftermath of 9/11. Her story reflects both the urgency of transplantation and the extraordinary resilience of pediatric patients navigating rare and life-threatening liver conditions.
Kareena’s transplant—and her life today—was made possible by the unwavering commitment of the transplant surgical community. Despite the nationwide shutdown of flights on Sept. 11, the surgical team at the donor hospital insisted on finding a way to transport the organ, ensuring it reached her in time. Their determination in the face of unprecedented circumstances made her transplant possible, underscoring the profound dedication that defines the transplant field.
Notably, Kareena’s pediatric care was guided by Saul J. Karpen, MD, PhD, FAASLD, AASLD’s President and her pediatric transplant hepatologist, underscoring the profound, lifelong relationships at the heart of transplant medicine and lifelong liver health.
More than two decades later, Kareena offers a powerful perspective on what it means to live post-transplant.
“I don’t know anyone who had a transplant as an infant or anyone who is over two decades post-transplant,” she said. “I understand the enormous time and effort that went into ensuring I survived as an infant, which makes me altogether more vigilant and meticulous in my habits as an adult.”
At the same time, uncertainty can often accompany life post-transplant; realities that are sometimes less visible in clinical settings. As she shares, even with strong support systems, “it does feel like you live in your own world sometimes,” shaped by the daily vigilance required to stay healthy, from avoiding illness exposure to managing long-term risks.
Her perspective also highlights an opportunity to close gaps between clinical indicators and lived experiences. While lab results may suggest stability, she said, they don’t always reflect how a recipient is feeling. As Kareena notes, even when “the numbers look good, “the emotional and psychological weight of managing lifelong health can be significant, particularly given the uncertainty that transplant recipients carry over time.
For the hepatology and transplantation community, her message is clear: connection matters. Whether it is checking in outside of annual visits, sharing relevant research and data, or creating space for conversations about mental and emotional health, these touchpoints can make a meaningful difference.
“Reaching out to do a check in through our health portal when there is news of a disease outbreak or during the height of flu season, for example, would be greatly appreciated and valued. Also, clinicians should make it clear that recipients are welcome to discuss mental and emotional health concerns as well. […] Sometimes a conversation about the pressures they feel in taking care of their health (taking their medicine, keeping up with labs, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and managing fear/anxiety) with the recipient is enough to make them feel like their efforts are recognized and valued,” she said.
Together, these stories reinforce the critical role of the hepatology community in advancing not only life-saving transplantation, but the long-term care, research, and support that enable patients to truly thrive.