A stranger from the southern border selflessly donated a portion of her liver to Stephanie Azzarello in 2023 when she faced the urgent need for a liver transplant due to primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease. Azzarello, residing in Toronto, was informed that receiving a liver from a deceased donor was highly improbable, compelling her to seek a living donor publicly.
Dr. Mamatha Bhat, a clinician scientist at the University Health Network Ajmera Transplant Centre in Toronto, recognized the challenges faced by patients like Azzarello under the existing liver transplant prioritization system. The Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, based on a few blood tests, often disadvantaged women and individuals with rare conditions like PSC due to its limited scope in assessing urgency accurately.
To address these issues, Dr. Bhat and her team secured funding to develop an artificial intelligence system in 2023 that could consider various factors beyond traditional blood tests to enhance patient prioritization accuracy. The AI system aims to replace the MELD score and potentially reduce mortality rates among patients on the transplant waiting list.
Statistics from the Canadian Institute for Health Information indicate that in 2024, 655 liver transplants were performed in Canada, while 609 individuals remained on the waitlist, and 89 individuals passed away while awaiting a transplant. Dr. Bhat emphasizes the importance of patients like Azzarello exploring alternative options for securing a liver.
Following a compelling social media campaign, Trisha Beard from Portland, Oregon, emerged as a compatible donor for Azzarello. Despite initial challenges due to residing in the United States, Beard’s determination led her to donate a portion of her liver to Azzarello after undergoing rigorous testing, culminating in a successful transplant in June 2024.
The heartfelt bond between Azzarello and Beard continues post-surgery, with Beard describing Azzarello as family and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to save a life. Azzarello, now back teaching art history at the University of Toronto, cherishes every healthy moment made possible by her generous organ donor, Beard.