The Pennsylvania man meets a stranger who donated his liver and altered his life – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Martin Yucha owes so much.

Yucha is a Warren County cancer survivor in dire need of a liver transplant. Anthony Cernera is a Connecticut semi-professional skydiver and philanthropist devoted to strangers, a mission that began in 2016.

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“Things are going so fast and Anthony is just a gift from God,” said Yucha.

“I am someone who wants to make the world a better place and serve others. If I can do this, which would be a minor inconvenience for me, why not want to donate myself? And three months later, I donated my kidney to a stranger on Long Island. That was the first donation, ”said Cernera.

Then he donated bone marrow to Yucha over the holidays and now part of his liver.

Yucha and Cernera met for the first time outside the UPMC Montefiore.

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“It brought tears to my eyes,” said Yucha. “It’s just amazing. Someone who gives up their liver for me.”

“It is such an interesting experience to take care of someone’s well-being and not have met them,” said Cernera. “He’s fine and looks great. It’s a privilege. “

It all happened in a city that specializes in living donor transplants.

“I am grateful for him and grateful that the UPMC team can be part of it. It’s a real gift, ”said Cernera.

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“I’ll see my grandchildren again,” said Yucha.