Vickie West Vann

Type of Donation:       Liver recipient

Age and Location:      Age 61 - Laughlin, NV

Date of Transplant:           8/02/1985

Sponsor:                      Honored by UCLA Health

VICKIE’S STORY

Vickie West Vann is a 36-year liver transplant survivor from 1985. When Vickie was 12, doctors at Stanford told her parents she probably had only three more years to live, but she survived the poor prognosis.  At 23, she was at City of Hope and needed a liver transplant, but the drug that would eventually lead to increase survival rates in transplant recipients wasn't available yet.  At 25, she was transferred to UCLA Medical Center.  That same year she met her husband Bill Vann, got married in March of 1985 and underwent a liver transplant surgery in August 1985. Thanks to her transplant, Vicky was able to get pregnant and welcome her son Jamie in 1987 and has enjoyed a healthy life since 1985. Her transplant has been a remarkable success and she is forever grateful to her donor.