A Kamloops man is no longer one of the estimated 4500 Canadians waiting for a life saving organ transplant and now he has been moved to become an advocate for organ donation.
Matt Lepp is a local man who received a liver transplant on September 29, 2014 after a liver disease finally progressed in the spring of 2014, which led to this important surgery.
Lepp was diagnosed at the age of 18 with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), which is a liver disease where the bile ducts progressively decrease in size as a result of inflammation and scarring.
The Kamloops resident describes how his life was completely normal from his diagnosis, until last spring when his energy levels began to drop significantly.
Photo Credit: Matt Lepp Facebook
As the disease progressed he also experienced significant pain and increased infections associated with PSC, which prompted the urgent need for a transplant.
Lepp said he became so sick that doctors in the Kamloops area were forced to airlift him to Edmonton for treatment.
That's where his cousin Stephanie Lepp Hickey comes in who graciously agreed to donate liver to Lepp.
While Hickey's residence in Dallas, Texas presented challenges to the surgery, the transplant team and Hickey were determined to make it happen.
According to the Canadian Liver Transplant Foundation, a liver transplant is achieved by using the entire right lobe of the donor's liver.
Both Lepp and his cousin had successful surgeries and recoveries to the relief of their families and friends and now are both are leading healthy and active lives again.
Lepp refuses to let his new lease on life go to waste and now he has become a passionate advocate for the importance of organ donation.
Photo Credit: Matt Lepp Facebook
The 28 year old is now organizing Night for Life, which is a major fundraising gala for the Canadian Transplant Association in hopes to not only raise money but also awareness.
The active outdoors enthusiast and part-owner of Tree Top Flyers pleads with local residents to not delay but register today here.
"We want the community to come together to celebrate the capacity of the human spirit and the pure value that life is," concluded the liver transplant recipient.
Event organizers said that they still need corporate sponsors and Lepp said they will supporting a priceless cause.
The event will have a dinner catered by Terra Restaurant, entertainment, silent auction that will keep you captivated the whole night.
Night for Life will be taking place on Saturday, May 30 at the Old Courthouse Cultural Centre on 7 Seymour Street West at 6 pm.
Anyone interested in attending the event are encouraged to purchase their tickets here.
While the world is filled with tragic news everyday about crime and violence, the stories of organ transplant recipients like Lepp help remind us what really matters.
Photo Credit: KamloopsBCNow
