Through living organ donation, Anh Nguyen gave 3-year-old Ailani Troncoso a second chance at life. Until now, it was her first time meeting the bright-eyed little girl who carries a piece of her own liver inside her tiny frame.
Part of a poignant reunion sparked by a heartfelt letter written to Nguyen by Miguel and Amanda Troncoso, Ailani's parents, the families recently came together for a celebration with the transplant teams from UC San Diego Health and Rady Children's Health — the people who made Nguyen's selfless gift and Ailani's miraculous liver transplant possible.
From the fourth floor of Rady Children's Health on this milestone day, Miguel points out the window to the main entrance, recalling the moment, eight months earlier, when he and his wife waited for Nguyen's liver to arrive. After the successful removal of 25% of Nguyen's liver at UC San Diego Health, it was quickly transported to Rady Children's Health, where Ailani's parents placed their hands and a blessing on the white box that carried the gift that would save their daughter's life.
"It was something so beautiful to see — it was the answer to our prayers," Miguel remembers, describing the first real wave of hope for his daughter, who was born with Alagille Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the bile ducts and can cause severe liver damage.
"Our daughter wasn't living before, she was just surviving," Amanda explains through tears, placing her hand on Nguyen. "We are still in shock and disbelief of the incredible gift of life you have given to our daughter. She is finally able to live now."
A full-circle moment: As UC San Diego Health’s first double living organ donor, Anh Nguyen is surrounded by the families of Ailani Troncoso, who she saved with a liver donation, and Penny Pride, who she donated one of her kidneys to. Photo credit: Alex Matthews, UC San Diego Health
A Celebration of Transplantation
As Ailani, her parents and Nguyen make their way down a line of cheering family, transplant team members and friends, Ailani hops out of the pink car stroller Amanda is pushing her in and rings the transplant bell with a burst of energy and enthusiasm she had never known while battling liver failure.
Gabriel Schnickel, MD, MPH, chief of the division of transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery at UC San Diego Health and Nguyen's liver transplant surgeon, stands next to the transplant bell, watching Ailani scoop up the colorful rocks at the base of the bell and dart from person to person, gifting each rock with glee.
"It's hard to imagine a more beautiful example of the power of compassion than this," he says with a smile, the crowd chuckling softly at Ailani's excitement. "Through the compassion of Anh Nguyen, who gave part of her liver so that Ailani could live a full life, that joy now spreads to everyone here."
Ailani Troncoso rings the transplant bell to signify her successful liver transplantation from living organ donor Anh Nguyen. Photo credit: Alex Matthews, UC San Diego Health
Schnickel explains that Nguyen's journey began long before this reunion when she decided to live her life with the intention of doing as much good as possible. Six years ago, that commitment led her to donate a kidney to her close friend, Penny Pride.
"She gave part of herself to save Penny's life," Schnickel says, glancing toward Pride and her son, Zachary, in the crowd. "And unbelievably, that just wasn't enough for Anh — she wanted to do even more good."
Nguyen later approached Schnickel and the UC San Diego Health transplant team to ask whether she could donate part of her liver to a child in need. As a non-directed donor, she chose to give anonymously — not knowing whose life she would save.
"Seeing Anh here today with Ailani just shows the power of human connection," Schnickel says. "One person can save a life, and make lasting, indelible change for an entire family."
Soft-spoken yet rich with compassion and character, Nguyen gives special thanks to the transplant teams that surround her and the Troncoso family. "You have changed our lives in immense and extraordinary ways, making them richer, fuller, and more meaningful. Through your dedication to organ donation and your generous spirit of service, you make miraculous, uplifting stories like ours a reality."
Later, in the healing gardens at Rady Children's Health, Nguyen and the Troncoso family watch Ailani race along the colorful paths, stopping to greet every child she meets.
One day, Miguel says, Ailani will learn the full story about the extraordinary gift Nguyen provided to their entire family. Her altruism to help someone she didn't even yet know is rare and astounding.
"There will be a time when Ailani will really be able to understand what her superhero has done for her," he says with compassion. "For all of us."
The transplant teams of UC San Diego Health and Rady Children’s Health, along with family and friends, recently celebrated the life-saving gifts Anh Nguyen gave to Ailani Troncoso with part of her liver, and Penny Pride, with the donation of her kidney. Photo credit: Alex Matthews, UC San Diego Health
Become an Organ Donor
Choosing to become an organ donor is the ultimate gift of life to the more than 103,000 people who are on the national organ transplant waiting list.
Gabriel T. Schnickel, MD, MPH
- Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgeon
- Chief, Division of Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery
- Surgical Director, Liver Transplantation
- Professor of Surgery
Organ & Tissue Donation Transplant Programs
Organ & Tissue Donation Transplant Programs
