A Second Chance at Life Because Someone Said Yes

"You only have 25 days to live, if you’re lucky”. Imagine being admitted to the hospital and hearing those gut-wrenching words you never expected. In early 2025, those were the devastating words American Liver Foundation (ALF) patient advocate, Julia Kushmakova heard from her doctor. Julia was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the early age of 14 and at the age of 28, she developed primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic disease that damages the bile ducts.

Julia’s life began to spiral as her liver disease took over and progressed rapidly. At the age of 29, her body collapsed and she became critically ill while being admitted to the hospital for a Crohn’s flare. When she woke up a few days later, she remembered nothing. Noticing her whole body felt weak and had turned yellow, the doctors informed her that her MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score was extremely high. With her frail body sinking fast, Julia was transferred to another hospital to be monitored by a highly skilled hepatologist where she was evaluated and added to the liver transplant waitlist. While waiting and hoping for a liver transplant, Julia and her family created flyers and posters urgently asking for a donor. Just when Julia began to give up hope, she was told incredible news she would never forget; a living donor had been found. In February of 2025, Julia underwent a successful, lifesaving living donor liver transplant that completely changed her life.

Julia just celebrated a full year with her new liver in February. Being a living donor transplant recipient, she said she wants “people to understand the importance of organ donation, living donation, and early awareness”. She said if her story “can help even one person feel less afraid, seek care sooner, or consider becoming a donor, then sharing it is worth it”.

April is National Donate Life Month, a time to honor donors who gave others a second chance at life, celebrate the lives they saved, and raise awareness of organ donation. There are thousands of people in America that are currently waiting for a liver transplant just like Julia. In honor of National Donate Life Month, we encourage you to share your story, connect with others through ALF’s Living Donor Network and transplant recipient support group, and get involved in advocacy efforts that raise awareness of organ donation. Visit liverfoundation.org to learn more about organ donation, ways to get involved, and the decision to become a living donor.