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Trumbull commissioners honor liver donor
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Two weeks ago, David Denovchek went back to work, and the little girl named Jamie who received a part of his liver in a Pittsburgh hospital went home to live with her foster parents.
“I’m fine. I have no physical restrictions. I’m back to a normal life,” Denovchek, 28, said Wednesday before a meeting of the Trumbull County commissioners at which he was honored with a commendation for his “selfless act of kindness and humanity.”
Denovchek, of Niles, donated a part of his liver during a six-hour surgery May 27 and has spent 12 to 13 weeks recovering.
Jamie, 4, who is in the custody of Trumbull County Children Services, has recovered well enough to leave the hospital for the first time in many months, though she is in a cast because of a leg fracture.
Denovchek has not been able to visit her yet because of her fracture, Denovchek said.
“Her liver’s working well. She still gets intensive follow-up that will last quite while,” said Marilyn Pape, a manager at Children Services.
The fracture, which occurred at the hospital, was the result of Jamie’s bones being brittle and “just normal everyday things,” Pape said.
Denovchek is working parttime so far because he’s not strong enough to return to his full-time work as a veterinary technician at the Family Pet Center All Creatures Veterinary Hospital in Champion.
“It’s been absolutely amazing and a blessing to have this opportunity,” Denovchek said after receiving the commendation, thanking the people who supported him and gave donations to help with medical and living expenses while he was off work.
Denovchek was among hundreds of people who responded to a news-media appeal from Children Services for a liver donor for Jamie, who was gravely ill as a result of a disease called biliary atresia.
Denovchek underwent tests that determined he was the best match.
“David does not consider himself a hero, but it may be a term that little Jamie uses to describe him for the rest of her life – a life that was saved by an exceptional man who wanted to make a difference in one little girl’s life,” the commendation reads.
“I wouldn’t change anything I did,” Denovchek said. “It was a great summer break. I sat on my hammock, I read books. It was nice.”
Pape said Denovchek routinely downplays what he did.
“He truly did save her life,” Pape said of Jamie. “She would have died in a couple of weeks without the surgery.”
A birthday party and fundraiser for Denovchek is being planned for Sunday at Leon’s Sports Bar and Grille, 1111 Niles Cortland Road NE, in Howland. Thirteen bands are performing at the day-long event. The public is invited.