When Ottawa, ON Local 162 member Matt Gobey was seriously ill with a liver disease earlier this year, the IAFF sent a nationwide call for help – hoping to find a living donor who could save the 36-year-old husband and father. As it turned out, the help that Gobey needed was much closer to home.
On May 14, Ottawa fire fighter and Local 162 Vice President Genna McMillan became Gobey’s living donor. While he recovers in Toronto, she is healing at home, with her liver expected to regenerate within two months. She plans to return to the job in 12 to 16 weeks.
“Not signing up as a donor didn’t even cross my mind,” McMillan said. She found out in mid-April that she was a candidate, and at the end of April she went to Toronto for a day of medical testing. A week later, it was confirmed she was a match, and the surgeries took place a week after that.
Gobey, a full-time Ottawa fire fighter since 2012, led an active lifestyle until he developed liver disease, which was suspected to be primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Because of the illness, he had to stop working and lost a considerable amount of weight, strength and energy.
It really drives home that fire fighters are part of a unique family and have a special bond.
Ottawa Local 162 Vice president genna mCmillan
While organ transplants are not declared successful until 30 days have passed, McMillan says Gobey is doing great so far. “Less than 20 hours after his surgery, his jaundice had disappeared, and his eyes and his skin were once again totally clear. When I see pictures of the morning we went into surgery, and the next day, the visible change was remarkable.”
She believes the experience typifies the unique bond that exists between fire fighters.
“We always consider ourselves lucky to be part of the fire service, and this whole experience, heightened that feeling for me,” she said, noting the support she and Gobey have received from the Ottawa Local and from affiliates across Canada who have reached out has been amazing.
“It really drives home that fire fighters are part of a unique family and have a special bond. These types of experiences really solidify that and drives it home for us as individuals.”
McMillan said living donor programs such as the one she participated in are important but are not talked about enough. Bringing awareness of these lifesaving programs to a membership committed to helping those in need is a reward she cherishes. She said when she was having a hard day a few days after the transplant, it was extremely uplifting to see Gobey walk past her hospital room with his family and a smile on his face.
For those who are healthy, meet the criteria and have the support of their families, McMillan encourages serious consideration of becoming a donor. “You get to see the impact that you’re having on someone. It’s an experience I will cherish for a long time. I feel very fortunate to have been chosen, and I would recommend it to people if it’s within their ability to do.”
Local 162 President David André said he is proud of McMillan for stepping forward to help Gobey. “This was a selfless act that has given Matt a new lease on life, and just one more example of how unique and special the bond is between fire fighters. We wish Genna and Matt a speedy recovery.”
