This Woman Saves Her Mother's Life Twice

Imagine the ultimate act of love and sacrifice - saving the same life twice. Eileen Harlin doesn’t have to imagine it; she lived it. By donating both her kidney and a part of her liver, Eileen gave her mother, Julia Harlin, a new lease on life in an extraordinary demonstration of familial love and medical marvel.

A Life-Saving Decision

When Julia Harlin’s liver began failing due to cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), her prognosis was bleak. The only solution was a liver transplant, a daunting prospect given the long waiting lists for donor organs.

Although the waiting list was at least five years, ABC News reports that 71-year-old Julia Harlin did not want any of her children to become her donor “because then I would be worrying about them on top of worrying about myself.”

But Eileen Harlin, Julia’s daughter, along with her siblings, embarked on a secretive journey to confirm a match and become living donors, culminating in a successful liver transplant in 2022.

The Ultimate Gift, Twice

The liver transplant from Eileen took, but tragically, not long after her liver transplant, Julia faced another life-threatening challenge; her kidneys began to fail due to hepatorenal syndrome. Once again, Eileen stepped up, becoming one of the rare individuals in the United States to donate both a kidney and part of her liver to the same recipient.

The kidney transplant, performed in December 2023, was a success, showcasing the remarkable potential of living donor transplants.

A Rare and Remarkable Journey

This dual donation marks a first for the University of Maryland Medical Center and places Eileen Harlin among a very small group of individuals nationwide who have made such a sacrifice. Daniel G. Maluf, M.D., the director of the transplant program and Julia’s surgeon, emphasized the uniqueness of their case, noting the incredible recovery of both mother and daughter post-transplant.

The Hero Behind the Scenes

Julia Harlin is effusive in her praise for her daughter, recognizing Eileen’s selflessness and unconditional love. Eileen, in turn, credits the medical team for their support and encourages others to consider organ donation, emphasizing its profound impact on recipients’ lives.

“I know my mom and how much she wants to live another 20 something years to see all her grandchildren get married and graduate and everything like that,” said Eileen Harlin, according to ABC News. “And I know that she would do it for me.”

References: Daughter saves mom’s life twice by donating her liver, kidney