Could you help save a life?
Damon has been approved for a living donor liver transplant at Mayo Clinic. Now, we’re searching for the generous donor who could help save his life.
Why a Living Donor?
Although Damon has more than 20 tumors in his liver, his liver still functions too well to qualify for a deceased donor liver through the standard transplant waiting list. Donor livers from someone who has passed away are prioritized for patients whose liver is failing, using a scoring system called the MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease).
Because Damon’s liver is functioning despite the cancer, a living donor offers his best – and likely only – path to transplant.
Time is critical. Damon remains eligible for transplant as long as his cancer stays confined to the liver and continues to respond to treatment. While chemotherapy is helping keep the cancer under control, finding and evaluating a living donor can take three months or longer, which is why this search is so urgent.
What Is Living Liver Donation?
One of the liver’s most remarkable qualities is its ability to regenerate.
During a living donor liver transplant, a healthy person donates a portion of their liver to someone in need. Over time, both the donor’s remaining liver and the transplanted portion regenerate, allowing both people to live with a healthy, functioning liver.
Every potential donor is carefully evaluated by Mayo Clinic. The donor’s health, safety, and well-being remain the top priority throughout the entire process.
Could You Be a Match?
While every donor is evaluated individually, Damon is generally looking for someone who has:
✔ Blood Type A
✔ Similar body size
✔ In good overall health
✔ Willing to complete Mayo Clinic’s confidential evaluation process
But don’t rule yourself out just yet.
Even if your blood type or body size isn’t a direct match for Damon, you may still be able to help.
You May Still Be Able to Help—Even If You’re Not a Direct Match
If your blood type or body size isn’t compatible with Damon, you may still be able to help through Mayo Clinic’s Liver Paired Donation Program.
Sometimes called a liver swap, this program matches incompatible donor-recipient pairs with other families in the same situation. In some cases, your donation could help another patient receive a transplant while their donor helps Damon.
If you’re interested in becoming a donor, don’t rule yourself out. Let the Mayo Clinic transplant team determine whether you’re a direct match or whether you may qualify through the paired donation program.
The first step is simply completing the confidential donor questionnaire.
What Happens Next?
If you’re interested in learning more, the process begins with a confidential online Health History Questionnaire through Mayo Clinic.
After you submit the questionnaire:
- A Living Donor RN Care Coordinator reviews your information.
- Mayo Clinic contacts you to discuss the next steps.
- Additional testing is completed only if appropriate.
- You decide whether you’d like to continue.
Completing the questionnaire does not commit you to becoming a donor.
Once submitted, a Living Donor RN Care Coordinator will review your information and contact you if additional evaluation is appropriate.
Learn More
Choosing to become a living donor is a deeply personal decision. Before considering whether it’s right for you, we encourage you to learn more about the process, what to expect, and how Mayo Clinic prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of every potential donor.
The Mayo Clinic Living Donor team has created an excellent resource that answers many of the most common questions about living liver donation and what you can expect throughout the evaluation process.
Contact Mayo Clinic
Website: mayoclinic.org/livingdonor
Email: LIVINGDONORORGANTP@mayo.edu
Phone: (866) 227-1569
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. On July 1, 2026, Damon was approved for a living donor liver transplant at Mayo Clinic. The next step is finding a living donor and completing the donor evaluation process. Because identifying and evaluating a donor can take three months or longer, we’re beginning the search as soon as possible.
The liver is the only organ in the human body capable of regenerating. Following surgery, both the donor’s remaining liver and the transplanted portion begin to regrow, with significant regeneration occurring over the first few months.
Living liver donation is a major surgery. Every potential donor undergoes a comprehensive evaluation, and Mayo Clinic will only move forward if they believe donation can be performed safely.
The donor has an independent medical team whose only responsibility is protecting the donor’s health and interests.
No.
The questionnaire is simply the first step in learning whether donation might be an option.
There is absolutely no obligation to continue.
No. The living donor evaluation process is confidential and managed by the Mayo Clinic transplant team. Damon and his family will not be notified if you complete the health questionnaire or begin the evaluation process. Your privacy is protected, and you can decide at any point whether you’d like to continue.
There are many ways to make a difference.
- Share Damon’s story.
- Encourage others to learn about living donation.
- Raise awareness about colorectal cancer screening.
- Follow Never Down Never Out on social media.
- Make a financial donation to the Earin Family’s GoFundMe account to help with medical treatments and associated travel.
- Keep Damon, his family, his care team, and any future donor in your prayers.
Every act of support matters.