Patient Stories

Matt faced end-stage liver disease and struggled with delays in referral before self-referral was available.

• He quit alcohol cold turkey, endured severe withdrawal, lost over 50 lbs, and completely transformed his health before transplant.
• Matt received a life-saving liver transplant and now honors his donor by volunteering every Saturday to support other transplant patients.
• Self-referral allows patients like Matt to access transplant care faster, bypassing unnecessary delays.

Take the first step toward lifesaving care. Submit an online self-referral to the UC Health Transplant program today.

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A Wake-Up Call

Matt Dill, 37, remembers the moment he realized his life was in danger. “It was two days after my birthday in 2024,” he says. “I woke up and felt my death. I knew I had to see a doctor immediately, even though I hadn’t been to one in 10 years.”

For over a decade, Matt struggled with depression and substance abuse. Despite working multiple jobs—in real estate and human resources—he was deeply unhealthy. “I drank every day for years,” he recalls. “I was passively killing myself. I knew it, but I kept going.”

When Matt finally scheduled a doctor’s appointment with his primary care provider, they couldn’t see him for three months. Faced with waiting, he decided to quit drinking cold turkey. “The next two weeks were hell,” he says. “Severe withdrawal, hallucinations, pain everywhere. I almost didn’t make it through.”

By the time he saw a doctor, Matt’s condition was severe. He had cirrhosis, ascites that made his stomach swell, and early signs of hepatic encephalopathy. “I didn’t even know what was happening to me,” he says. “I thought I was just overweight, but my body was failing.”

The Diagnosis

The doctor confirmed the worst: Matt had end-stage liver disease and would need a transplant to survive. “They said I could die within a year,” Matt recalls. “Walking out of that appointment, sitting in my car, I felt completely alone and terrified.”

His PCP referred him to a private practice gastroenterologist, where the process was slow and frustrating. “A week went by, and no one reached out,” he says. “It felt like the bureaucracy of paperwork was standing in the way of saving my life. That’s where self-referral would have made all the difference.”

Fortunately, a personal connection helped him get in touch with UC Health’s transplant team. “I called, and within a few weeks, I had an appointment,” Matt says. “It was only luck, but if self-referral had been available, my life would have changed sooner.”

Transforming His Life Before Surgery

Once under the care of UC Health, Matt completely transformed his life. He stopped drinking, followed a strict exercise regimen, and lost over 50 pounds. “I started walking a mile a day, then gradually increased to 7–8 miles,” he recalls. “I had to be in the best possible shape for surgery. Everything about my life changed—my diet, my mindset, my routine.”

He continued chemical dependency counseling and underwent paracentesis procedures to drain excess fluid from his abdomen. “Some days I couldn’t walk 10 feet without holding onto the wall,” he says. “There were moments I thought I wouldn’t survive.”

New Year, New Matt

On December 26, 2024, Matt received his life-saving liver transplant. “I woke up in the ICU and realized I had a second chance at life,” he says. “I had been given a gift I could never repay, and now it was up to me to honor it.” Matt was discharged on New Year’s Eve and entered 2025 as a changed, purpose-driven man.

Dr. Cutler Quillin, Matt’s liver transplant surgeon, says:
"Matt’s commitment to his health and recovery is extraordinary. His story highlights how timely access to care can save lives. Self-referral ensures patients are evaluated quickly, bypassing unnecessary delays that could cost lives."

The Moment It Hit Him: “Now It’s Your Turn”

When Matt woke up after his transplant surgery, he was still groggy and disoriented, but one moment in particular left a lasting impression. He recounts talking to his care team for the first time after surgery, thanking them over and over again for saving his life.

During that conversation, a nurse said something that would stay with him forever: “It’s your turn now. It’s on you now.”

At first, Matt didn’t fully grasp what she meant. But soon it became clear: the medical team had saved his life, and now it was up to him to start living it—staying healthy, embracing his second chance, and continuing to “save his own life.” This simple, powerful line became a guiding mantra for Matt as he navigated recovery, adopted a healthy lifestyle, and fully committed to honoring the gift of life he had been given.

Honoring His Donor and Living in “Bonus Time”

Matt’s gratitude to his donor and his care team runs deep—and it drives how he lives every single day. Every Saturday, he volunteers on the transplant floor at UC Medical Center, visiting new liver and kidney transplant recipients. He shares his story, offers hope, and reminds them that recovery is possible.

But for Matt, this isn’t just volunteering. It’s a way of living with purpose. “I always have to be doing something because I feel like this is bonus time,” he says. “This is time that I was given that I had declared gone for a long time. For years, I was passively killing myself, and I didn’t think I was going to have a future at all. Now I have a future I didn’t even know I had, and I couldn’t be more thankful to all the people involved, my doctors, nurses, and my donor alike.”

Matt credits his transplant with giving him the chance to build a completely new life. “I couldn’t be doing the things I’m doing now without what they did for me,” he adds. “I feel that the self-referral program is going to get many other people in the door, and that means more lives saved.”

This sense of gratitude shapes everything Matt does. He strives to make the most of every minute—whether that’s volunteering, spending time with loved ones, or simply appreciating small daily moments that once felt impossible.

Discover Boundless Care Through UC Health Transplant Services

Submit your online self-referral today to start your transplant journey with UC Health and access the care you need without unnecessary delays.

If you’d like to speak with someone directly or learn more about our liver transplant program, call the UC Health Liver Transplant team at 513-584-9999. We can answer questions, guide you through the self-referral process, and help you find the program that’s right for you.