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Jenna Powell isn’t a crier. But on Tuesday, April 28, she couldn’t hold back the tears. This was a day she’d anticipated for months: the day she got to meet the woman who saved her son’s life.

That woman is Courtney Jones, a mom of three from Virginia Beach who donated a portion of her liver to Powell’s 22-month-old son, Rhett. At an event held at the UVA Health Charles O. Strickler Transplant Center, Powell finally got the opportunity to express how grateful she is for such a priceless gift. “I hugged her and I didn’t want to let go,” says Powell. “There was so much love in that hug.”

A Mom’s Urgent Plea for a Donor

Rhett was diagnosed with Alagille syndrome at 2 months old. The rare genetic disorder damaged his liver, leaving him jaundiced and struggling to gain weight. “The doctors told me he needed a transplant within a year,” says Powell. 

Desperate, Powell turned to social media. She posted Rhett’s story on Facebook in the hopes of finding someone willing to be a living donor. After a reporter in Richmond picked up the story, Jenna’s post went viral, receiving over 70,000 shares. 

Within weeks, more than 130 people contacted the UVA Health Transplant Center and offered to help. Among them was Jones. With a son just 8 months older than Rhett, Jones says she knew the moment she saw Rhett’s picture that she was meant to be his donor. And she was right.

“When I received the lifechanging phone call that I was indeed his perfect match, I broke down in tears. I was overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness. I praised God and thanked Him that this little boy’s search was over,” she says.

Mastering the Complexities of Living Liver Donor Transplant

Pediatric living liver donation has become more common in recent years because of its potential for greater outcomes. But finding a perfect donor match can be challenging. 

“The donor evaluation process includes a thorough medical, surgical and psychosocial assessment. In addition to meeting with multiple living donor team members, each donor undergoes multiple laboratory and radiology studies to ensure the appropriateness and safety to be a donor,” says Anita Sites, MSN, RN, Living Donor, Transplant Surgery and Pediatric Transplant Program Manager. 

“For every pairing, we need a perfect match, not only for blood type compatibility, but also a size match between the vascular and biliary structures, as well as the graft itself — not too big, not too small,” adds Juan Francisco Guerra, MD, Surgical Director of Liver Transplant and Living Liver Transplant. “The liver has to be divided, and both sides need to work perfectly: one side for the recipient and the other portion remaining in the donor.”

As the only pediatric liver transplant program in Virginia, UVA Health has the specialized expertise and coordinated care required to offer kids like Rhett access to some of the more complex liver transplant procedures, including domino and living donor transplants. “Since the resurgence of the pediatric living donor liver transplant initiatives in July 2022, we have completed 18 pediatric living donor transplants. Over 60% of the donors for our pediatric liver transplants come from living donors,” says Sites. “Our recipient and donor outcomes are excellent.”

This transplant was no exception. Rhett and Jones underwent a successful transplant procedure on Dec. 1, 2025. Each had a large team of surgeons, nurse practitioners, nurse coordinators, social workers, advocates and others by their side to ensure their safety and their peace of mind, from start to finish. Powell and Jones agree this made all the difference.

“I really appreciated that they were very straightforward with me about every detail of what to expect,” says Jones. “They walked with me on this journey every step of the way and I never once felt alone or like I couldn’t do this. The transplant team at UVA made me feel like family and they truly cared about me as a donor and for my safety. I’m so thankful for them.”

“While Rhett was in the hospital, there were some amazing nurses. One would hold him whenever she got the chance so that I could sleep or take a shower,” says Powell. “The lunch lady would make sure he got a cookie because she knew that was one thing he would eat. I’m grateful for that support because you don’t get that everywhere.”

An Inspiring Reminder

At the April event, these two moms not only had the opportunity to meet each other. They also had a chance to thank the many dedicated UVA Health team members who made their success story possible — an emotional moment that reminded the team why their work matters and the life-changing difference it makes for families like Rhett’s.

“It’s magical when we translate a very professional, stressful and complex evaluation, operation and recovery process into a purely emotional moment where everything is about giving and gratitude,” says Dr. Guerra.

“I am just so proud to be part of a team and community that literally changes people’s lives, and saves lives every single day,” says Sites. “It is a blessing to be a small part of the journey that living donors embark on to give the ultimate gift of life.”

Turning One Miracle into Many

For Powell and Jones, this journey that brought them together is far from over. They are forever united by a little boy — and this cause. 

Although Rhett was unable to attend the event due to illness, Powell says she hopes Jones will be present for every big moment in Rhett’s life moving forward, as she’ll be “the reason why he had those big moments.”

“I simply cannot wait to meet little Rhett in person and to wrap him in my arms. I want to have a relationship with him, to see him grow throughout the years and to be there to support him with all life has to offer,” says Jones.

From that original Facebook post to news broadcasts across the country, Rhett’s story has touched the hearts of many. More importantly, it has inspired others to become organ donors. Of those who reached out to UVA Health about donating to Rhett, several have expressed interest in donating to other patients. And Powell connected one family in Georgia with a kidney donor through her Facebook post.

“These mothers’ commitment to spread the word is unwavering and impressive,” says Sites.

Powell and Jones know firsthand the enormous impact living organ donation can make. And they feel they have a responsibility to continue sharing that message.

“I want to help advocate for living organ donation so even more lives can be saved,” says Jones. “If my story and my part in this miracle inspires at least one person to step up and save someone else’s life through organ donation then it’s also all worth it.” 

Find out how you can become a living organ donor.