'Sisterly Love' Likely Saved Life of Brother

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (January 30, 2004) - "Sisterly love" took on new meaning three weeks ago when Marit Johnson of suburban Libertyville Covenant Church donated 60 percent of her liver to her brother Carl "Andy" Johnson at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Andy had been on a liver donor transplant list for months after suffering a serious illness during the summer of 2002. He was serving at a Covenant summer camp in Unalakleet, Alaska, and eventually headed back to the Chicago area to be close to his physicians. Both of Andy's parents (Maggie and Carl "Vern") were compatible blood donors; however, they were not considered to be likely live-liver donor candidates.

The recovery for both patients has gone well. Doctors advised Andy that within two months of the surgery he would have 98 percent of his liver cavity filled as livers regenerate fairly fast. He is on anti-rejection drugs and is progressing normally. Marit, who works in a Chicago advertising agency, says she should be back to work next month.

"It was an easy decision for me," she said. "We're definitely glad it's behind us, but I'd like to think that anyone would have done this. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he had died and I knew I could have helped. Nothing else mattered compared to that."

In eighth grade, Andy Johnson was diagnosed with Krohn's disease (an intestinal and bowel illness that makes it difficult to keep food nutrients in the body) and he has had other physical problems during his lifetime. Doctors told him during high school that he might need a liver transplant in the future, but his physical problems didn't stop him from an athletic adolescence as he played soccer in high school and again at North Park University before graduating with a biology degree in 2000.

Marit is a graduate of North Park University - Class of 2003 - and also played soccer at the school. She was an All-Conference player for the Vikings, was an All-Conference Academic selection and won the team's Leadership Award during her senior year. As successful as her soccer career might have been, what occurred earlier this month is by far her most memorable experience, she says. "It's the biggest thing I've ever done in my life."

As for Andy, the experience has been another reminder of the gift God has given him in a solid family. Both Andy and Marit are staying with their parents in Grayslake, a north Chicago suburb, and the time together has been significant for both donor and recipient.

"We've always been close as a family, though we may not be the most expressive about it," said Andy about the transplant and the months leading up to it. "We've always taken care of each other no matter what. And I think that it's brought us even closer together."

A more complete version of this family's story, as well as stories of others who have been blessed through organ donations, will appear in the April edition of The Covenant Companion. To order a subscription to the Companion, click on the magazine icon on the home page of the Covenant website at www.covchurch.org and follow the subscription instructions.

Printable version of this page.