At UC Health, care knows no limits, and sometimes, neither does the generosity of those who deliver it. When a critically ill baby needed a liver transplant to survive, one woman answered the call in the most extraordinary way.
- Moved by a department-wide email, Anna Ressler, an assistant professor in Miami University’s Department of Nursing, stepped forward to become a living liver donor—even though the intended recipient turned out not to be a match.
- Anna donated part of her liver at UC Medical Center to baby Chip, a critically ill 8‑month‑old at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
- Thanks to UC Health’s Living Donor Program, both Anna and Chip recovered successfully, and Chip is now a thriving 15‑month‑old.
Learn more about living organ donation and how you can make a life-saving difference through the UC Health Living Donor Organ Program.
A Routine Email That Changed Everything
Anna Ressler never expected a routine work email to change her life—or to save another.
As a registered nurse and assistant professor, Anna is no stranger to caring for others. But when she opened a message from the chair of the Department of Nursing asking staff to consider liver donation for a fellow co-worker in need, she felt something deeper stir.
“I didn’t even know living liver donation was possible,” Anna said. “But as soon as I found out, I knew I wanted to try.”
Anna underwent testing and was found to be a compatible match. However, her liver wasn’t the right size for her colleague. Still, her journey was just beginning.
A Second Chance to Give
Shortly after, a transplant coordinator at UC Health approached Anna with a new opportunity: a critically ill infant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital needed a portion of a liver. Anna’s medical profile, blood type, and body size were a match.
She didn’t hesitate.
“Of course. If I was willing to donate to someone in their 60s, I would absolutely be willing to donate to a child,” Anna shared.
Surgery at UC Medical Center—and a New Beginning
In August 2024, Anna underwent surgery at UC Medical Center, donating part of her liver to baby Chip, who was only eight months old at the time. Within days, both donor and recipient were recovering well.
For Anna, the experience wasn’t just medical—it was deeply personal.
“As a family, we’ve always believed in service,” she said. “We were a foster family for years, and my kids know—it’s not about us. It’s about the greater good, about giving what you can to help others thrive.”
From Anonymous Gift to Inspirational Voice
Initially, Anna chose to remain anonymous. She wasn’t seeking praise—only healing for a child she had never met.
But over time, she realized her story could inspire others.
“I started realizing how many people, even in healthcare, don’t know that living liver donation is even an option,” she said. “And I thought—how will people know unless they see it? Unless someone tells them?”
A Joyful Reunion and a Life Renewed
In February 2025, UC Health organized a reunion where Anna met Chip and his mom, Schae, for the first time.
“It was awe‑inspiring,” Anna recalled. “Our bodies are made to do this. The liver regenerates—it’s the only organ that does. Why else would it do that, if not to share it with someone else?”
Now 15 months old, Chip is healthy, full of energy, and thriving—all thanks to Anna’s selfless act of love.
“Part of me is living in someone else,” Anna said. “And I was able to do that. That’s just such a unique opportunity. Why wouldn’t you?”
The Power of Living Organ Donation at UC Health
Dr. Khurram Bari, interim Director of Hepatology at UC Health, emphasizes the extraordinary impact of living organ donors:
“Living donors don’t just save lives—they change them forever,” Dr. Bari said. “When people step forward to give this kind of gift, they’re not only helping a single patient—they’re helping entire families, and in many cases, inspiring their whole community.”
Be Someone’s Second Chance
Every day, patients are waiting for the call that could save their life. You could be the reason they get it.
Learn more about living organ donation and how you can make a life-saving difference through the UC Health Living Donor Organ Program.
