More than four years ago, Dave Kane was diagnosed with cancer in the bile ducts of his liver. His diagnosis was grim, but he never lost hope.
When he needed a transplant, his friend, Sara Kate Gillingham, knew she wanted to help.
She underwent testing to see if she would be a match, and saved her friend’s life by selflessly donating 60 percent of her liver to him!
“Sara Kate saved my life,” Dave told Inside Edition. “That’s what’s so great about this opportunity to run and to publicize, you know, the incredible bravery and generosity and love of Sara Kate and the opportunity to be a donor.”
Not only did it save Kane’s life, but it also helped Sara Kate add meaning to hers.
“It’s totally possible to make a bigger impact on the world than you think is possible by doing this,” she told Inside Edition.
The two friends decided to join 33,000 other people and run together in the 26.2-mile New York City Marathon, while raising money and spreading awareness of organ donation for the American Liver Foundation.
In America, liver disease affects millions of people and is on the rise. According to the American Liver Foundation (ALF), there are more than 100 different types of liver disease, and living with long-term, chronic liver disease can greatly damage your liver.
Common causes of liver disease include viruses, genetics, autoimmune disease, excessive alcohol use, poor diet or obesity, and reactions to medications, drugs, or chemicals.
Liver cancer begins in the cells of your liver. ALF says liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and that over the last 30 years, liver cancer rates have tripled in the U.S.
Visit the American Liver Foundation’s website to learn more, and hear Dave and Sara Kate’s story in the video below: