By Hayley Ringle

East Valley Tribune, AZ - Apr 26, 2005

Highland High School senior Melissa Bishop knew eventually she’d have to get a liver transplant. The 17-year-old was just unsure when she needed one or where she would get it.

Melissa was born with alpha-1 antitrypsin, a common inherited disease among Caucasians, and developed liver disease. Other than annual checkups and blood work, she grew up healthy.

Eight months ago, Melissa started having breathing problems, and her legs and stomach began swelling. She was told she needed a liver transplant.

Several people offered to help, including her 22-year-old brother, Josh.

The rest of her family was unable to donate because they had the inherited gene.

Melissa’s stepmother, Kara Bishop, turned out to be a perfect match. Kara married Melissa’s dad, John Bishop, in February 2004, although Melissa has known Kara for four years.

"She was at a point where she was sick enough that it was starting to affect her life," said Kara Bishop, 29. "It wasn’t even a question whether I should donate. Melissa needed it."

Surgery was scheduled for Feb. 4, and 60 percent of Kara’s right lobe of her liver replaced Melissa’s diseased liver, which was completely removed.

"I don’t know what I would have done if I had gotten worse," said Melissa, who lives with her dad and stepmom in Gilbert’s Stonebridge Lakes.

The two spent a week in the hospital, and Kara took a month off of work to recover.

Melissa’s body showed several signs of rejection and was having problems up until three weeks ago. She missed a month and a half of school, and her recovery was the toughest part.

Now she’s back to school full time, feeling a lot better and glad the whole ordeal is over.

Melissa will go to the prom May 7 with a friend, and will graduate May 22.

She will attend Arizona State University in the fall and plans to major in law.

In 2003, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared April to be National Donate Life Month. Becoming an organ and tissue donor has become even more of an emotional topic in the Bishop family.

Janice Bishop, Melissa’s grandmother, said it was "totally unexpected" that Kara Bishop would be a match.

"It was great to have Kara around," she said. "How do you thank someone for giving your granddaughter’s life back?"

Janice Bishop has a magnet on her refrigerator that is a constant reminder of the importance of organ donation. The magnet reads: "Don’t take your organs to heaven. God knows we need them here."

John Bishop said the difficult time has affected the entire family, but the outcome has been "amazing."

"We anticipated Melissa to be on a waiting list for a long time," he said.

"It was truly a gift it worked out for us the way it did."

Melissa’s mom, Patti Stokes, said it also was an "unexpected surprise."

"I would definitely encourage everyone to donate," said Stokes, a Mesa resident. "A lot of people aren’t aware they can donate."