My dad, crying, called me and said, “Grant, it’s Brooksy.” It was such a terrifying time for all of us, especially my sister Andrea and brother-in-law Matt. A week earlier, their son Brooks was a healthy toddler. Now he was being rushed to Cleveland Clinic from a local hospital where he was diagnosed with acute liver failure, probably triggered by RSV1. He needed a liver transplant right away. 

Andrea was 15 weeks pregnant, so she couldn’t be a donor. Matt was hoping to be the donor, but after six hours of testing, doctors determined he had a blood-clotting disorder that disqualified him. So I got tested. There were some delays, but then I remember being told they were coming to get Brooks in 30 minutes — and they would be up to get me in 45. All of a sudden, I’m like, “Whoa, this is really happening.” They brought me to the operating room and got to work. I remember feeling a little nervous. OK, a lot nervous. I was scared. But I was really proud and grateful that I could step up. 

Having gone through this, I have such an incredible love and respect not just for the Cleveland Clinic staff, but for the profession in general. It still blows me away.

 

Grant Mosher has a tattoo over his heart that reads “FAMILY FIRST.” His nephew, Brooks Campbell, is 3 years old and loves playing with toy construction trucks. 

Photo of Grant Mosher and Brooks Campbell

Grant Mosher, left, and Brooks Campbell. | Photo: Tula Joy Photography

Note

  1. Respiratory syncytial virus is a common virus that affects the lungs and air passageways.

When toddler Brooks Campbell needed a liver transplant, his uncle Grant Mosher proved to be a perfect match.