Piedmont Hospital Celebrates Transplant Anniversary and Donate Life Month

Clarence “Copeland” Shavers celebrated his 58th birthday on April 15, 2010. But this year’s celebration carried special significance as this avid horse trainer, farmer and grandfather of four, celebrated the five-year anniversary of his second chance on life. Shavers became Piedmont Hospital Transplant Institute’s first liver transplant recipient on his birthday, April 15, 2005. The Piedmont Hospital Transplant Institute is one of only two adult liver transplant centers in Georgia.

“There was absolutely no hope for me,” says Shavers of his failing liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus. “I woke from a coma on a Sunday in early April, which was a miracle in itself. A couple of days later, we received a call from Piedmont Hospital with promising news of its new liver transplant program. On April 15, I celebrated my birthday with a new liver and a second chance at life.”

Shavers had not been able to get on the liver transplant list at other facilities and had begun to accept the fact that he may not survive. Fortunately, Piedmont Hospital was putting its liver transplant program in place at just the right time. Piedmont Hospital’s Transplant Institute had performed kidney transplants for nearly 20 years, but Shavers’ liver transplant would be a first. Five years and 312 liver transplants later, the program has far exceeded expectations.

“The Piedmont Transplant Institute is now among the top 14 percent of all transplant programs in the country based on total number of organ transplants performed,” says Mark Johnson, M.D., Piedmont Transplant Institute program director. “Piedmont Hospital has recorded 2,270 organ transplants in the 25-year history of the program. With new advancements in medical technology and procedures, organ transplantation is becoming an option for more patients, and the need for organ donors will rise.”

“Liver transplantation is the second most common transplant procedure,” says Roshan Shrestha, M.D., medical director of liver transplantation. “Seventy-seven liver transplants were performed at Piedmont Hospital in 2009. Liver transplants are a realistic treatment option for many patients suffering from end stage liver disease due to variety of acute and chronic liver diseases including primary liver cancers.”

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), nearly 200 people are waiting for liver transplants in Georgia. To learn more about becoming an organ donor, call 1-866-57-SHARE or visit donatelifegeorgia.org. For more information about Piedmont Hospital’s liver transplant program, call 404-605-4600 or visit piedmonttransplant.org.