Daughter Gives Father the Gift of Life through Live Donor Transplant

Denisea Cartwright’s 2021 Father’s Day gift to her dad Robert arrived a couple months early, but neither minded because it was truly a one-of-a-kind gift of love and life.

After months of tests and preparation, Robert received a liver transplant from Denisea during a 12-hour procedure at Methodist University Hospital performed by a medical team led by Dr. James D. Eason, MD. The successful surgery offered Robert a chance for a bright, healthy future that he’d all but given up on.

“I was put on a donor list, but sometimes that can take a while and I didn’t know if they’d ever be able to find a match for me.” Fortunately for Robert, a friend suggested that he reach out to his daughter to see if she might be a match. Reluctant at first, Robert said he didn’t want Denisea to feel obligated to get tested to determine if she could be a donor. However, when asked if she’d consider undergoing the tests she immediately said yes.

For the Cartwright family, the life-saving surgery has been an answer to their prayers. Robert and Denisea offered enthusiastic praise for the entire Methodist family and said they’d grown close to so many medical workers who gave them comfort and hope.

 “I really don’t know what else to say except that I’m the luckiest man in the world,” he said. “I’ve got a wonderful daughter who’s willing to do this for me and the best doctor and medical team in the world to make it happen. I’m blessed.”

The Methodist Transplant Institute performs more than 120 liver and over 140 kidney transplants each year with dedicated teams of medical personnel assisting in the procedure. In 2021, the institute already completed 211 transplants with the goal to perform 100 more by year-end.

To learn more about the Methodist Transplant Institute and how you can support their work, please visit http://www.methodisthealth.org/givetotransplant or contact Leanne McQuown at 901.478.0703.