Man shares transplant story

MURRAY — Each organ transplant recipient has a unique story to tell.

And it was Jim Millard's that highlighted the inaugural gathering Friday of recipients and donors at Intermountain Medical Center in what administrators hope will be an annual conference. The Utah man received a new liver nearly 20 years ago.

"My lifelong goal was to meet the liver donor (family)," Millard said as he addressed the conference. "It took 19 years for this to happen."

Last summer, Millard heard from his donor's mother, Colorado resident Gail Walker.

Millard prepared a history of his life after the transplant and wanted to personally express his gratitude for the gift he received. That opportunity finally came last summer when both his family and his donor's family agreed to meet at Disneyland.

Back when his liver was failing two decades ago, "I knew someone was going to pass away for me to live."

Walker's son, Adam, was brain-dead and on life support after a car accident.

"It was every parent's nightmare," she said, explaining she reluctantly gave permission for all of her son's body to be used for organ donation.

In retrospect, she said, "it was an unbelievable empowering moment" to know her son could help many people. "I felt so good about that decision."

Millard sent Walker a letter shortly after the transplant explaining how her son's liver had saved him. He was the only organ recipient to send her a letter. As a perpetual procrastinator, she said, she was very slow to reply.

She later had twin girls, became caught up in her life and finally decided to respond to Millard's periodic letters nearly 18 years after the first one.

"This is the part that makes organ donation not yucky but wonderful," she said.

After meeting that first of two days at Disneyland, one of her daughters remarked that it was weird meeting Millard. The daughter went on to explain to her mother that what she meant was simply she felt she had known Millard all of her life. They all felt that way.

"I was very happy to learn that Adam's liver was going to reside in Utah," Walker said, stressing she loves the state and especially its natural beauty.

Millard has spent many years as a volunteer at the hospital educating and counseling potential transplant patients. He had a second firsthand transplant experience a few years ago when he needed a new kidney. His sister was a perfect match and donated one of hers.

"It's been a good run," he said. "I've met a lot of people along the way. I've had a lot of good experiences."

Millard was the only survivor of five people who at about the same time 20 years ago underwent liver transplants in Salt Lake City.

"I bring that up because of how blessed I feel," he said.