Daughter Sacrifices 65% Of Her Liver To Give Dying Dad A Second Chance
September 26, 2019
After years of drinking, Anthony DeAngelis found himself in desperate need of a liver donor transplant. But then his daughter sacrificed two-thirds of her own liver to give her dad a second chance. And this inspiring story is a beautiful example of the restoration power found in God's love!
Anthony DeAngelis started out as a social drinker. But as time went on, it grew into a full-blown drinking problem.
RELATED: Little Boy Gained Over 20 Pounds In 2 Months To Save His Dad’s Life
“I wound up drinking alone sometimes for no other reason than to get numb,” he said.
Anthony wasn't an obvious drunk. His family describes him as a high-functioning alcoholic. So, he succeeded in keeping his problem hidden for a long time.
But addiction always finds a way to ruin your life. And for Anthony, it would have ended his if God hadn't already sent him a special angel!
Liver failure served as a wake-up call for Anthony DeAngelis. But by then, it was almost too late.
Because Anthony's liver couldn't remove the toxins from his blood, he began suffering a decline in brain function. Anthony had trouble walking and often lost touch with reality.
“I was really hurting and preparing myself to die,” he said.
Doctors said a liver transplant was the only hope. But with nearly 13,000 Americans on the waitlist, Anthony would die before a donor ever became available. Instead, they'd need to find a living liver donor transplant as quickly as possible.
What is living donor liver transplant?
Living donor liver transplantation is a procedure where surgeons remove a portion of the healthy liver from a living donor (versus harvesting organs from someone deceased). The living donor is usually a family member or close friend. The portion of their liver is then transplanted to the patient.
The liver donor recovery time runs about 3 to 6 weeks. And because of the amazing way God designed the liver, the organ will actually regenerate. So, both the portion of liver transplanted and the original portion left in the living donor will grow back to create a complete liver!
Living liver donor requirements include:
- Being healthy and in overall good condition
- Falling somewhere between the ages of 20-60
- A compatible blood type with the recipient
- Genuine, good-natured motives for donating
RELATED: Lung Transplant Recipient Sings With The Daughter Of Her Donor
Daughter Becomes Liver Donor For Alcoholic Dad
Due to his declining health, doctors eventually hospitalized Anthony DeAngelis.
“In my lucid moments, which were becoming few and far between, I was getting myself ready to pass on,” he said.
But then, Anthony's daughter Alyssa came to see him with unexpected news!
Anthony didn't know it, but all 3 of his children had been tested to see if they were a viable liver donor match. And Alyssa (31) had decided she'd be the one to sacrifice 65% of her liver so that her dad could live.
Addiction has a way of eroding relationships. And it's unreasonable to think Anthony's drinking hadn't taken its toll on his children at some point. But in his hour of need, Alyssa chose grace over condemnation.
“I saw how hard the whole situation was for my mom, who was feeling the brunt of all this," she said. "I love my family and if I ever had an opportunity to help them, I would do it.”
Of course, her sacrifice as a living donor came with some clear stipulations.
Alyssa recalled telling her father, "Dad, there are going to be some expectations of you if I do this. You’ve kind of given up a little bit. It’s on you to get your life back."
The liver donor transplant between Alyssa and her dad went smoothly. Alyssa spent a week in the hospital and then 5 more weeks at home.
RELATED: Dying Teacher Gets Unexpected Response To Online Plea Asking For Kidney Donor
“The recovery could not have gone better,” she said. “I feel perfectly normal at this point.”
And as for Anthony DeAngelis, he hasn't forgotten his daughter's words before she gave him the gift of a second chance. And at 73 years old, he's gotten his life back on track.
The Restorative Power Of God's Grace
The liver transplant journey has only deepened his relationship with Alyssa.
“I think of her as my guardian angel,” he said. “She’s always been an angel to me, but now she’s saved my life.”
WATCH: Dad Reads Birthday Card From Daughter After Liver Transplant
But it's also deepened his relationship with God.
“I believe faith has been a large part of my getting well,” he said. “I have a lot of friends who have been praying for me through this whole thing.”
It's part of why he's sharing his inspirational story -- not only to thank his daughter for her sacrifice, but also to encourage those battling addiction or “going through storms.”
The sacrifice Alyssa made not only saved her dad but blessed her mother, too.
“It’s like I got my husband back," Lorraine DeAngelis says. "It’s a miracle."
And that's why Alyssa encourages others to become living donors.
“It sounds scarier than it is,” she said. “To save someone’s life, I think six weeks (of recovery) is worth it.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Doctors Said Baby Would Die In Womb, Then Mom Held Miracle Son In Her Arms
Seeing the transformation and restoration of relationships in Anthony's story is a powerful reminder of how God works. Nothing is ever outside of His reach!
"For I am certain that not death, or life, or angels, or rulers, or things present, or things to come, or powers, or things on high, or things under the earth, or anything which is made, will be able to come between us and the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 38-39
h/t & Featured Image: Asbury Park Press
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.