A Los Angeles family recently met the stranger whose organ donation saved their infant son's life, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles. Lissette Naula and her husband Juan learned in July that their baby Julian required a liver transplant as his only chance for survival.
The couple's situation changed on Aug. 20 when an anonymous donor was matched with Julian. The donor, Ryan Keith of Hawaii, had registered to donate late last year after deciding it was a goal she wanted to achieve.
Keith received the call about the needed transplant the day before her birthday. She had no prior knowledge of the Naula family's circumstances until the in-person meeting occurred this week.
During the encounter, Keith noted that opportunities to help others can produce far-reaching effects. Lissette Naula described the occasion as emotionally overwhelming and dreamlike, expressing difficulty in finding adequate words to convey her gratitude for the gift that restored her child's health.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles maintains a top national ranking for liver transplants, though staff continue to stress the ongoing demand for donors. Juan Naula, known for his social media efforts to clean Los Angeles streets, stated he will now include organ donation advocacy in his community work.
This report is based on coverage by FOX 11 Los Angeles: https://www.foxla.com/news/stranger-saves-los-angeles-babys-life-through-organ-donation