Liver Transplant Bonds Michigan 3 Families

Scott Bryers had been feeling unwell for some time, but couldn't find a diagnosis that suited him.

That was until the summer of 2019, when his condition took a turn for the worse and he was rushed to a local hospital.

Briers visited the hospital and finally got answers to her ongoing illness. He was diagnosed with decompensated liver disease, the most common liver disease in the United States.

Further investigation into the diagnosis revealed that Byers needed a partial liver transplant to treat his liver disease.

He joined the liver transplant list in 2019, beginning the long process of waiting for a match.

find a donor

For three years, Briers was on the transplant list waiting for a suitable living donor.

During the wait, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Byers moved from the Chicago area to be closer to family in Saugatuck, Michigan.

He decided to quit his job to focus on his health and spending time with his family.

Over three years, about 60 people applied to become donors to Briers, but none were successful.

His family continued to post through Facebook to find potential donors, hoping it might spark something.

“Over the years, I've had several false alarms where I was sent home knowing my liver wasn't viable even though it was ready for surgery,” Bryers said.

“The more time passed, the harder it became to keep hoping there would be a game, but we just kept looking.”

In 2023, Christine Potter was scrolling through Facebook when she saw a post about Bryers' daughter looking for a partial liver donor for her father.

“The post had a list of requirements to apply as a donor to Scott, and I met all of them,” Potter said.

“I just felt like I needed to look into it and learn more about what it takes to become a living donor.”

Potter's biggest surprise during her research was learning that the liver regenerates naturally, so the part she planned to donate to Bryers would eventually be regenerated within her own body. .

“I thought that was a really cool fact, and after doing my research, I felt confident in my choice to apply as a donor,” she said.

“My mother passed away from cancer, and all I could think about was that if she ever needed a life-saving organ, I wish someone would be kind enough to donate it. Scott and his… I felt my family deserved the same opportunity.”

After undergoing a series of blood tests and an MRI scan at UM Health, Potter was officially declared eligible for the Briers. From there, Mr. Bryers was contacted and told him the good news.

“When I found out that someone was willing to donate a part of themselves to me, it was a feeling that is hard to describe,” Bryers said.

“Grateful doesn't even begin to explain it. It was such a selfless act for Kerstin to offer and for being willing to give up her time to see if she was right for me. I am very grateful.”

However, the day of the surgery did not go as planned.

Potter was preparing for surgery when he was told it was cancelled.

“I didn't know what was going on, but I just prayed that he was okay,” she said.

No further details were given, so Potter decided to call Bryers' daughter a few days later to ask what had happened.

Over the phone, she learned that Bryers' condition had progressed so far that a partial liver donation was no longer sufficient. Instead, he needed a complete liver donation.

Just before Briers and Potter's scheduled surgery, he received word that his liver could no longer survive a partial liver transplant.

“One of the limitations of partial liver transplants, such as those used in living donor liver transplants, is that the smaller portion of the liver initially provides less support during growth,” said Seth, clinical associate professor of transplantation. said Waits, MD. University of Michigan Health Surgery and Briers Transplant Surgeon.

“For sicker patients or those with more severe complications of liver disease, such as portal hypertension, a larger whole graft provides a safer initial transplant course.”

However, her surgery was canceled because Bryers received a complete liver donation on the day she was originally scheduled for surgery.

new donor

Sarah Shanks, who was living in Tennessee around the time of Briers' surgery, died suddenly at the age of 41.

Her family was contacted by a hospital in Tennessee and informed that Shanks was an organ donor.

The family now has the opportunity to choose who to give her organs to.

If not, the organ will be donated to a suitable person higher on the donor list.

Shanks' sister, Mary Bouma, and other siblings posted a message on Facebook asking if anyone in West Michigan needed a liver.

“Our family wanted a part of Sarah to continue to live with us in Michigan,” Bouuma said.

“We were both born and raised here and felt we could keep her memory alive and help those in need.”

The Bryers contacted Booma and decided that Shanks would be a good fit.

The liver was flown from Tennessee to Michigan for surgery.

The day of surgery was a quick one for Bryers.

He learns that his first surgery with Potter has been canceled because he needs a full liver transplant instead of a partial liver transplant.

Then, just when I thought I was going to be sent home, I was told that my liver was ready and I would be undergoing surgery the same day.

“We were grateful to be able to continue operating on Scott even with the new, complete liver donation,” said Dr. Waits.

“In 2024 alone, Michigan Health University not only broke our own record for the number of adult liver transplants performed in one year, but also the state of Michigan record. It’s more than just numbers and we want to make sure we take every opportunity to give people like Scott a fighting chance.”

“I'm grateful that Mary posted something that reached my daughter and me,” Bryers said.

“Her sister's donation changed my life, and I am grateful that I was able to give back to them by helping preserve her sister's memory.”

After receiving the liver from Shanks, Bryers had few complications and felt better immediately.

Since his transplant, he has been able to return to the activities he loves, including helping out at Fell In Love Farm, a nonprofit organization on Michigan's west side.

ongoing gifts

When Potter learned that Bryers' surgery was still going on, he decided to use the donated money to try again.

“I was happy that Scott was able to get the transplant he needed,” she said.

“But I didn't want to just stop because I've been through this whole process. I looked around to see if there was anyone else who could donate and luckily I found someone.”

For Shanks, her organ donation saved a total of five lives, with both lungs, heart, and kidneys donated in addition to her liver donation.

“It wasn't a shock to find out that Sarah was an organ donor. It was completely in keeping with her personality,” Bouuma said.

“She was always a caring and giving person. I think knowing that she saved multiple lives honors her legacy.”

make lasting connections

Mr. Bryers remains close to Mr. Potter and Mr. Bouma even after his liver transplant surgery.

“They were very willing to help me, and I want to make sure that the sacrifice of their gift is not wasted on me,” Bryers said.

“What's important to me is that we have some contact and at least check in with each other every once in a while. To this day, we all have relationships and it's great. We can bond. It's a unique experience.”

In addition to staying in touch with Potter and Booma, Bryers and her daughter are working to create a system through Facebook to help guide those on organ transplant lists looking for donors. is also being worked on.

The group is called Another Tomorrow.

“If someone in your family or you yourself needs an organ transplant and there's no one in your family who is a match, it can be scary,” Bryers says.

“We've been through that process, and thankfully we've gotten through it. We're now sharing what we've learned with others so they don't feel isolated in the process.” We would like to support you.”

Briers said the most stressful part of the organ transplant process is being placed on a waiting list, where someone must choose to donate some of their organs to you while they're still alive. I discovered that there are all kinds of emotions that come with knowing something and even coming to terms with someone. He needed to pass to get a new chance in life – he realized he had a lot to process and in doing so felt lonely at times.

“I want others to know that they are not alone in the ups and downs and emotions that come with this process,” he said.

“When you undergo a transplant, you need a support team around you, and I hope that by going through that process, I can provide some comfort to those seeking a transplant.”

So far, Bryers and her daughter have worked one-on-one with people they met seeking organ donations throughout the three years they were on the transplant list.

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