Steven Register, a former MLB pitcher, found himself facing an unexpected challenge when he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. His doctors told him that his best shot at survival would be a liver transplant. Despite the bleak prognosis, Steven and his wife, Beth, immediately began exploring every available option, eventually traveling from Auburn, Alabama, to Houston, Texas, to seek treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Steven’s health journey took a turn when plans for a liver resection were called off due to the size of his tumors. This setback led the couple to look for a living liver donor. In a bid to find a match, Beth set up a Facebook group hoping someone would step forward to help.
In a serendipitous twist, Kristin Johnston, a preschool teacher from Roswell, Georgia, stumbled upon their plea. Recognizing Steven as a fellow high-school graduate from Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia, Kristin felt compelled to reach out. Despite not having spoken to Steven in over 20 years, she was moved by his story and decided to help.
Kristin admitted that the decision to donate part of her liver seemed to come “out of left field,” but it felt meant to be. She began by checking their blood type compatibility, which turned out to be a match. After confirming they both shared the same blood type, she offered to donate a part of her liver if the rest of the tests proved favorable.
She received the news that she was a match on Good Friday, marking a moment of hope and renewal. Kristin’s surgery is expected to take 12 to 14 hours, during which 70% of her liver will be transplanted into Steven. Both her remaining liver and the transplanted portion will regenerate, offering them both a new lease on life.
Beth Register expressed deep gratitude for Kristin’s selflessness, stating, “For her, she is ultimately giving him the gift of life — for him, a really fresh start in this journey.” Steven is hopeful that once the liver is in place and the cancer is removed, he might be cancer-free.
The Register family, including their children McKenzie, Blakely, and Brooks, has initiated a fundraiser to help cover travel, food, and medical expenses. Kristin’s family, with her husband Cody and their three children, have also been supportive throughout this process.
Beth hopes their story highlights the importance and possibility of living organ donations. Many people, she notes, are unaware that such donations are an option for saving lives. She expresses her belief that fate had a hand in bringing their families back together.
With faith playing a significant role in their journey, Beth said, “We just pray that God is opening all the right doors and that Kristin is the perfect donor for him.” Kristin’s willingness to pause her life in hopes of extending Steven’s is nothing short of inspiring.
Reem Amro, a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital, covered this heartfelt story. The lifestyle team at Fox News covers diverse topics including health, travel, and more.
