Patient who received liver after social media campaign reports success

A Canadian woman is thought to have become the first patient to receive a new vital organ from an unrelated, altruistic donor who answered an appeal launched on social media.

Lucia Andrade, 61, of Brampton, Ontario, underwent liver transplantation last November, but her family waited to be sure that it was a success before telling their story last week. Andrade had primary biliary cirrhosis and had been on an official donor waiting list. Members of her family had been tested for compatibility, but her O negative blood type ruled out most likely donors. Her condition was deteriorating rapidly when her youngest son, Michael, 22, appealed for …