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Ottawa Citizen

'I'm going to save a life': Ripple effect of a pioneering organ donor saves baby in need

Article content Gosling changed the system in which Canada is now a world leader — anonymous liver donations to strangers. The ripple effect of his act continues to change lives. Article content Article content Since his surgery, 150 people, including Goldberg, have donated part of their liver anonymously to a stranger through the University Health Network. The number often surprises people around the world, with some asking why anyone would take the risk of donating a part of their liver anonymously to someone they have no connection to. Article content Hospital officials have learned more about what makes people like Gosling and Goldberg tick — writing that anonymous liver donors are often super altruists who are driven by a strong desire to help others — even those they are not connected to. Article content That is something both Gosling and Goldberg understand. At separate times during their hour-long virtual conversation, they each articulated similar reasons for wanting to donate. Article content Article content 'If you could save somebody else's life, why wouldn't you?' Article content Goldberg did not set out to donate part of her liver to a stranger. Article content In late 2022, with both sons away at university, the Thornhill, Ont., resident felt she wanted to do something to make a difference in the world. When she received a request in the mail to consider donating a kidney, she was intrigued. Article content 'My kids at the time were both studying at Laurier, and I thought, 'Well, I'm an empty nester. I'm pretty healthy. Why not? What am I doing now?' ' Article content She did the initial testing and received a call six weeks later saying she was a match with a person in need of a kidney. Article content Goldberg became more excited as the potential surgery neared, but during the final stage of screening, a CT scan revealed a small irregularity in her kidney, which disqualified her from becoming a donor. Article content 'I was really devastated. It took me a long time to get over it because I knew I was being tested for one person. I was devastated for this person, even though I never met them.' Article content Article content Months later, Goldberg picked up a copy of the National Post and read a story about Gosling's groundbreaking anonymous liver donation and how the ripple effects of that act continue to be felt in Canada. (The story, 'The Gosling effect: How one man and his liver forever changed Canadian health care,' was originally published in the Ottawa Citizen). Article content She was fascinated by what she read. Article content 'I knew liver donation was a lot more invasive, but it sounded so attainable. (I thought) 'I could do this. Why can't I do this?' ' Article content She showed the article to her husband and then went on the website linked to the story and filled out a health and medical questionnaire. She received an automated reply that the information would be kept on file for a year. Article content A few weeks later, she received a phone call from a nurse in the program called her just weeks later to talk further. Article content 'Is this something you want to do? Do you want to continue with it?' she was asked. Article content When Goldberg said yes, a meeting with members of the hospital's transplant team was arranged where they gave her 'nitty gritty' details of the surgery and what to expect. Article content 'They didn't leave any details out. They pretty much were trying to scare me. Why would you want to do this? What are your intentions? This is the workup. This is what you have to do. This is the surgery,' she said. Article content When the surgeons asked whether she was still certain, she replied that she was 120 per cent in. 'I want to do this.' Article content After more tests and meetings with a social worker and psychologist, among others, Goldberg was told that she had matched with a baby in need of a new liver and that her surgery was scheduled for mid-January. Article content Article content When her mother asked her if she fully understood what the surgery involved, Goldberg said yes. Article content Article content Goldberg said she was more prepared for the surgery than she had been for childbirth. She knew what to expect day-by-day and was given frequent updates. Article content Her recovery was relatively routine, although it took time to heal and rest. She learned that the baby who had received part of her liver recovered well and was eventually able to return home. Article content And although she hadn't told many people about what she was going to do, her husband posted about her on social media, calling her an inspiration and soon members of her community, including her rabbi, were visiting, offering support and bringing food. Article content Article content Goldberg said she is proud of what she was able to do with the support of her husband and kids, and she wants more people to think about doing something to help others — not only donating a liver or kidney but blood or plasma donations, or even making sure their organ donation card is signed. Article content 'I want awareness. I want people to know that this can be done,' she said. Article content 'I don't know if this will be my mission for life, but if I can inspire people like Kevin inspired people, that would just be amazing.'