Former MLB player finds liver donors via Facebook as former classmate stepped up
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A man’s Facebook request for liver donors caught the attention of high school acquaintances he hadn’t spoken to in 20 years.
In April 2024, after experiencing loss of appetite and weighing 15 pounds within a month, the 42-year-old Steven Register was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. According to SWNS.
Doctors told the former Major League Baseball pitcher — who played for the Colorado Rockies in 2008 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009 — a liver transplant may be his best chance of survival.
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“When we first met with the doctor, they gave me a year to a year and a half.” He added that he and his wife Beth immediately began researching the choice.
According to the SWNS report, the couple arrived at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, from Auburn, Alabama, where they registered for surgery for temporary ostomy bags and began chemotherapy according to the SWNS report.
“When we first met with the doctor, they gave me a year to a year and a half.” (SWNS)
When doctors found the tumor was too large, the plan for liver removal was cancelled, which led the couple to consider the transplant.
Register’s wife created a Facebook group to find living liver donors, hoping someone would come forward in time.
Unexpected volunteers
Kristin Johnston, a 40-year-old preschool teacher in Roswell, Georgia, saw the position and recognized the register as a former high school classmate.
SWN reported that the two met in 1999 at Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia, but did not speak for two decades.
The doctor said
“That’s a long way from the left field,” the registry said, unable to believe it when Johnston voluntarily donated a portion of his liver.
He added: “I have never seen or talked to her for over 20 years to get her to reach out like this, that’s what it is.”
Kristin Johnston (pictured above) is a 40-year-old preschool teacher in Roswell, Georgia, who saw Register’s Facebook post and admitted he was a former high school classmate. (SWNS)
Johnston said she first had to search online for real-time liver donations quickly and discover that blood type compatibility was the first step.
“I just sent him a message,” she said. “I said ‘Hey, what’s your blood?” He said, “I’m sure. ””
She replied, “Wait, that’s mine too,” and offered, “If I were a contest, I would be happy to donate the leaves.”
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Johnston was later cleared for the game and was confirmed on a meaningful day.
“I have been receiving news on Good Friday, which was officially cleared by his liver donors,” she said.
Surgery and a second chance
According to SWNS, the procedure is expected to take 12 to 14 hours, which will involve removing 70% of Johnston’s liver and transplanting it to the registry.
Her remaining liver and donated portions will regenerate over time, both opportunities are healthy.
“I always got the news on Good Friday.”
“For her, she ended up giving him a gift of life – it was a very fresh journey for him,” Beth Register said.
“Hopefully, once I have all the tumors and cancers, I will be cancer-free from there,” the Steven Register added.
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Registered families (including children Mackenzie (16), Brackley (14), and Brooks (8) launched a fundraising campaign on SupportNow to help with travel, food and medical expenses.
Johnston and her husband, Cody, are 38, a real estate developer with three children of their own – Sawyer (9), Teddy (7) and Dahlia (4).
Raise awareness and faith
Beth Registration said she hopes their family’s stories will raise awareness about the impact of donating living organs.
“Many people don’t realize that there is a choice to donate in real time, whether it’s the liver or kidney,” she said.
Registered Family – Steven, Beth and their three children, Mackenzie (center left), Brackley (center right) and Brooks (front and center) – launched a fundraiser on SupportNow to help with travel, food and medical expenses. (SWNS)
She added that Johnston was selfless from the beginning.
Family believes fate helps reconnect them SWNS.
“We just pray that God is opening all the right doors and that Christine is his perfect donor.”
“We just pray that God is opening all the right doors and that Christine is his ideal donor,” Beth Register said.
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She continued: “We are just grateful for her willingness to pause her life and hope to extend her life over the years.”
