Overview:
From Near Death to New Life: Palauan Mom’s First Liver Transplant Success
Mildred, 58, faced a terminal diagnosis from primary biliary cholangitis—but her son’s heroic liver donation and Taiwan’s Mackay Memorial Hospital made the impossible possible. Palau celebrates its first living donor liver transplant, a testament to international cooperation and cutting-edge medicine.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR, Palau — “I thought I was going to die, but now I have a second chance at life thanks to Taiwan,” said Mildred, a 58-year-old Palauan mother whose firefighter son’s liver donation saved her from advanced cirrhosis.
The emotional saga peaked Aug. 21, 2025, when Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taiwan pulled off Palau’s first living donor liver transplant—a high-stakes operation that fused cutting-edge surgery with cross-Pacific grit.
Mildred’s nightmare began with primary biliary cholangitis, a ruthless autoimmune disease that turns the liver’s bile ducts into battlegrounds. Inflammation scarred her organ into cirrhosis, leaving transplant as her only shot. Dr. Chun-Chang Lin, the hospital’s deputy surgery superintendent, greenlit the procedure after rigorous tests.
Her son, a brave firefighter, stepped up as donor—his healthy liver lobe becoming her lifeline. The International Medical Center orchestrated the feat despite brutal hurdles.
Crystal from Mackay Memorial detailed the milestone’s impact: “The successful completion of Palau’s first living donor liver transplant by Mackay Memorial Hospital represents a major milestone for the people of Palau. It not only demonstrates the tangible outcomes of international medical cooperation, but also underscores that advanced medical services can be made accessible even for countries with limited healthcare resources. This achievement has significantly strengthened public confidence in healthcare among the Palauan population and laid a solid foundation for future cross-border collaborations in managing complex medical procedures. It ensures that, when needed, Palauan patients can access timely, reliable, and high-quality advanced medical care, thereby enhancing overall healthcare accessibility in Palau.”
She also spotlighted the challenges: “The primary challenges of this case stemmed from cross-border coordination and the integration of medical resources. Living donor liver transplantation requires meticulous pre-operative evaluation, a highly specialized surgical team, advanced equipment, and comprehensive pharmaceutical support. In addition, logistical arrangements—such as international travel, accommodation for both donor and recipient, and pre-operative isolation procedures—added further administrative complexity. To address these challenges, a cross-national task force was established, bringing together transplant specialists from Taiwan, healthcare providers from Palau, and administrative support personnel. Through intensive pre-operative consultations and detailed planning, the team ensured full preparedness and developed comprehensive contingency protocols.”
Mildred walked out 25 days later, though a three-month biliary snag required endoscopic fixes. Now thriving, she’s flying home to Palau on Thursday and faces Taiwan checkups every three months.
Crystal wrapped up: “The successful completion of this transplant not only safeguarded the health and safety of both donor and recipient, but also demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of international medical collaboration. This case stands as a testament to the dedication and teamwork of the entire Mackay medical team, while also highlighting Taiwan’s soft power in delivering high-quality healthcare services to international patients.”