University of Chicago Hospitals' liver-transplant patients celebrate life after surgery

December 4, 2000

WHO:
More than 200 liver transplant recipients and their family members, as well as several patients who are currently waiting for transplants, are expected to attend the University of Chicago Hospitals' 15th annual celebration for pediatric and adult liver transplant patients.

WHAT:
A celebration of 16 years of life-saving liver transplants. This annual gathering allows transplant patients of all ages to share experiences, renew old friendships and provide support and encouragement to those facing the operation.

WHEN:
6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, December 5, 2000. The celebration includes dinner, Christmas carols, and an early visit (around 7pm) from a cheap imitation of Santa Claus.

WHERE:
At the University of Chicago's Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th Street.

WHY:
The University of Chicago Hospitals' transplant team is one of the leading liver transplant programs in the country. The team has performed more than 1,400 pediatric and adult liver transplants since 1984. Physicians at the University of Chicago were the first in the U.S. to transplant a segment of an adult liver into a small child (1986), to divide one donated organ between two recipients (1988), to use living donors for liver transplants and to test an artificial liver-assist device that uses human liver cells.

Since November 27, 1989, more than 120 patients have received liver transplants at the Hospitals using liver tissue from living donors. A living-donor liver transplant is scheduled for this week.

Media coverage of the celebration is welcomed.