Patient to Attract Attention with License Plate

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2007) − Charles Armistead isn't shy. He has a lot to say. That's especially true when you ask him about his liver transplant at UK Chandler Hospital. Armistead is so enthusiastic about his experience and how it changed his life that he drives around his native West Virginia hoping people ask him about it. His license plate proudly reads "UK 300th." On Thanksgiving Day 2005, Armistead, of Elkview, W.Va., was UK HealthCare Transplant Center's 300th liver transplant.

"I'm an advocate for organ donation and UK's transplant program. I selected this license plate hoping I would get a chance to explain to people why it's so important to be a donor," Armistead stated.

Armistead says several people have stopped him, inquiring about the message behind the plate. "There's nothing better you can give someone than the opportunity to extend their life. Organ donation and its impact are far-reaching, and only you can make the decision to do it."

Armistead is passionate about the cause because two years ago his life was much different. His wife of 37 years awoke to find him unresponsive, in a near comatose state, slumped over in a bathroom. Armistead had a condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis which is characterized by inflammation of the organ associated with the accumulation of fat in the liver. He had known about his condition for almost 15 years, but it had gotten worse very quickly. Doctors knew he needed a transplant soon.

That's when his journey brought him to UK Chandler Hospital. Armistead received a donor liver in a ten hour procedure, performed by Dr. Dinesh Ranjan and Dr. Thomas Johnston, that ended early on Thanksgiving Day 2005.

"It's such a transformation for me. I feel so much better. My quality of life has drastically improved. I just can't say enough about the entire experience at UK. It is a caring, professional group of people," Armistead said.

He keeps in touch at annual check-ups. "Charles has made a tremendous recovery. The differences are remarkable between the patient we treated two years ago and the man we see today," said Dr. Hoonbae Jeon, assistant professor of surgery.

When asked about his plans for the future, Armistead confidently says, "To keep on living and keep talking about the importance of organ donation." It's a plan drivers around West Virginia can plainly see.

For more information about organ donation visit the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates or UK HealthCare Transplant Center Web sites.