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A mother has put the call out on Facebook for a lifesaving organ donation for her son and has received the gift for Christmas she was hoping for!

Anthony. Liver transplant story. Facebook/Kimberly Parello
Anthony, his mother Kimberly and donor Kendra. Image source: Facebook/Kimberly Parello

 

Anthony Parello, 14, was gifted a new liver from a long-lost friend of his mother’s after she posted a plea for help on the social media site.

“It was just a hope, like, well at least I could say to myself as his mother ‘I tried’, I tried to do something to find a living donor for him,” said Anthony’s mother Kimberly Parello said in a press conference, reports Fox News.  “We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have Facebook.”

Anthony was born with biliary atresia, a condition in which inflammation develops within the bile ducts both inside and outside the liver.  Four years ago, doctors also found a tumour growing on his liver.

anthony. liver transplant story. Facebook-Kimberly Parello. 750x516px.
Anthony in hospital awaiting his perfect Christmas gift. Image source: Facebook/Kimberly Parello

 

Kimberley turned to Facebook for help when the family was unsuccessful in finding a donor for Anthony.

“This young man needs your help,” Kimberly wrote on Facebook. “His liver is starting to fail and needs a transplant.”

Kimberley received a reply from Kendra Perpich – a long lost friend who Kimberly hadn’t seen in 24 years.

After weeks of testing at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, doctors revealed that Kendra was a match.  Last week, Anthony received his transplant thanks to Kendra’s donation.

“I never even knew Kendra until my mum re-connected with her on Facebook,” Anthony says.  “It was a blessing that Kendra was available to be a match, and around Christmas, so that I can actually live a normal like everyone else.”

When people ask Kendra why she decided to donate part of her liver to Anthony, she replies, “Why wouldn’t you?”

Doctors say Anthony’s liver should regenerate in a few months and if all goes well he should live a long and healthy life.


Image Source: Facebook/Kimberly Parello

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  • Now thats an amazing friend. Good news.

    Reply

  • Lovely to hear of a good facebook story. Hope he is doing well.

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  • Best Christmas present ever !

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  • Glad to see Facebook being used for miracles such as this. Amazing!

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  • wonderful story with a great ending.

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  • Well done Kendra. You deserve a medal. Donating part of your liver means yours has to grow back too. Not only has it been cut, it would have caused bruising to the surrounding area of it. I have heard that even just biopsies are extremely painful because of the location of the liver and also your ribs.
    I wish both of you good health and hope there are no side effects.

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  • Lke ig

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  • That’s beautiful. I’m so happy for them

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  • I’m not on social media but It’s stories like this where I think Facebook is great. Good luck to Anthony and mum.

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  • Oh they are so very lucky to have found this match, and from a long lost friend too! Great to see social media being used for good. Touching story.

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  • It is great to hear something positive about FB. Most times you hear about cyber bullying and put doubt whether Fb is worth having . Thank You .


    • I agree, the majority of my experience on fb is positive and I have made several friendships too.

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  • A fabulous story and good to see a positive story about social networks.

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  • What a wonderful story. People can be great.

    Reply

  • So sweet! What a wonderful story! And the perfect gift for Christmas!!

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  • what a blessing! they will never forget this gift. gift of life

    Reply

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