In a heartwarming story of friendship, faith and resilience, two Frederick women, Erica and Allison, have forever bonded over an extraordinary act of kindness—one that quite literally gave Erica the gift of life.
Originally from Nebraska, Erica has devoted her life to caring for others. After serving as a military nurse in the army, she continued her career in various RN and patient care roles, always committed to supporting those in need. However, in December of 2021, her own life took a turn and she found herself in need of care. Despite no traditional symptoms, Erica was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. "It was a shock," she shared. After months of aggressive treatments, including chemotherapy and surgeries, her oncologist at Johns Hopkins proposed a living donor liver transplant as her last chance for survival.
Allison's Decision: A Leap of Faith
Allison, a former elementary school teacher and now professor, first met Erica through their daughters, who were classmates at Saint John Regional Catholic School. Their paths crossed at school events and birthday parties, but it wasn’t until Erica shared her diagnosis that Allison became deeply involved. "I couldn’t stop thinking about her and her family," Allison recalled. Moved by a mother’s desire to see her children grow up, Allison took a shot in the dark and made the life-changing decision to undergo testing to become Erica’s donor.
Once Allison received confirmation that she could donate, she could barely contain her excitement to tell Erica. After weeks of waiting until they could meet in person, she surprised Erica with the news just nine days before the surgery. "I remember walking up to her door," Allison said. "I told her, ‘I wanted to bring you flowers because I heard you have a donor. By the way, it’s me!” Erica was speechless.
A Life Transformed
For Erica, the transplant was nothing short of miraculous. "Allison gave me the gift of life," she said. After years of grueling treatments, Erica is now cancer-free, regaining her strength and cherishing every moment with her family. "Without a new liver, I would have likely continued chemo until my body couldn’t handle it anymore. Now, I get to build back my strength and enjoy my life again."
Allison’s recovery afterward was challenging, but her determination and the support of family and friends helped her through. "There was a lot of sitting and napping," she laughed, but within months, her liver fully regenerated and she was back to her active lifestyle.
A Lasting Bond
Since the donation, Erica and Allison’s relationship has deepened into an unbreakable bond. "We will always share the transplant experience," Erica shared. Their daughters are now even closer, and the two families have become like one. "Sharing a liver with someone takes away any hesitation to talk about day-to-day parenting struggles," Allison joked.
Both women are passionate advocates for organ donation. "If you can do something, you should. I would go back and do it again without question," Allison shared. Erica echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the critical need for more donors. "Sixteen people die everyday waiting for an organ transplant. You can impact someone else's life in a huge way. Choose to be an organ donor—either through becoming a living donor or by noting so on your driver’s license."
Their shared experience has not only cemented their bond, but has also transformed them both into ongoing advocates for kindness in its many forms. For Erica, who knows firsthand the weight of waiting and Allison, who understands the joy and fulfillment of giving and "just saying yes", the journey has expanded their perspective on the impact of compassion. "It’s not just about being a donor; it’s about choosing to be there for others in big and small ways," Allison explained.
Their message is simple—whether it’s donating an organ, offering a smile or helping a neighbor, we all have the power to spark kindness that can create ripples that touch countless lives. Erica and Allison’s journey is a powerful testament to how one person’s selflessness can transform another’s life. Through faith and a shared commitment to helping others, these two women have exemplified that even in the most challenging times, kindness and compassion can shape someone's future in profound ways.