For Jack Miller, the ability to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day was a dream come true. Only three months earlier, he faced a battle with end stage liver disease and a life altering live donation transplant. Much like the wedding, Jack’s transplant was a family affair. Two of Jack’s children gave their father the ultimate gift – another chance at a healthy life.

In December of 1999, Jack was referred to Lahey Clinic for refractory symptoms related to his end stage liver disease. He suffered from very advanced liver and kidney disease and doctors were concerned that Jack would not survive the waiting period for donor organs. Doctors proposed an alternative option of live donation. Because Jack needed both liver and renal grafts he would need two compatible live donors.

Jack at the time had been married for 35 years and he and his wife have two sons and a daughter. The entire family without hesitation volunteered to be tested to determine if they could be donors. Jack’s son Dan and daughter Carol were determined to be a match. On April 10, 1999 Jack was the recipient of a double live donor transplant. Through the help of his family, the medical staff at Lahey Clinic, and blood donors, Jack is in good health today.

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Jack owns a courier service that transports blood products from the Red Cross to area hospitals including the Lahey Clinic. He is one of the thousands of individuals who work daily to make sure there is blood available for patients in need. Now as a blood recipient, he understands first hand the importance of a safe and sufficient blood supply for patients in need. Jack’s son, Dan, is also continuing to give back to the community by working with the New England Organ Bank advocating for organ donations.

Blood donors who give blood through the Red Cross help patients like Jack in cities and towns throughout New England and across the United States. Please….give blood. Together, we can save a life.

Patient Stories