2016 Lisa Barker

Lisa Baker_Southwest Transplant AllianceLISA BARKER

Liver Recipient

Age 27 ~ Lumberton, TX

Dental Hygienist

Honored by organ.org

Lisa Barker realizes a selfless ‘yes’ during a time of tragedy, can save so many lives. In just a few days, Lisa’s world was turned upside down when she learned that her abdominal pain was actually a rare liver condition called Budd Chiari. Her liver, kidney, and respiratory system went into failure. She was given only 48 hours to live.  On February 6, 2014, just 10 hours after being put on the national transplant waiting list, a liver became available.  Since her transplant, Lisa has returned to work as a dental hygienist and volunteers her time with organizations like Southwest Transplant Alliance, speaking to others about the importance of donation.  She also keeps in close contact with her donor’s, Courtney Sterling (2016 Donate Life Float floragraph honoree), family.

Lisa’s Story

Lisa Barker realizes a selfless ‘yes’ during a time of tragedy, can save so many lives.

Lisa’s story began in 2014 when she experienced abdominal pain during Super Bowl weekend.   Thinking it was a stomach bug, she made it through to Sunday, but she decided to see her family physician.  Her doctor immediately referred her to an emergency room where tests revealed that her gall bladder and spleen were enlarged.  She was then admitted to the hospital and scheduled for a gall bladder removal, but during the operation the surgeon noticed her liver was also enlarged.  During recovery, her condition worsened.  Doctors then discovered that she had an extremely rare liver condition called Budd Chiari, which had been caused by a rare blood disorder she had acquired – at some point during her life. Lisa was taken via CareFlight to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas as her liver, kidneys and respiratory system began to fail.  Lisa was in desperate need of a life-saving liver transplant and was given only 48-hours survive.

On February 6, 2014, just 10 hours after being put on the national transplant waiting list, a liver became available.

Since her transplant, she has returned to work as a dental hygienist and volunteers her time with organizations like Southwest Transplant Alliance, speaking to others about the importance of donation.  Recently she had the opportunity to meet and thank the family of the 15-year-old girl who saved her life. She and her donor’s mother have become great friends and together will travel to the 2016 Rose Parade. Lisa’s donor, Courtney Sterling, will be honored with a 2016 Rose Parade Floragraph.

“I think of and pray for my donor family daily. Donation is such a selfless act and means the world to recipients and their families,” said Lisa. I have so much respect for organ donation and will always strive to take care of, and respect [my] new gift.”