Liver donor found for Taber councillor

A living donor has been found for a Taber town councillor in need of a liver transplant after friends and the community rallied around him.

Jack Brewin, 50, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease last year but he's had a hard time finding a donor, in part because he's a big guy, at six feet four inchestall.

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His 24-year-old son Jordan didn't qualify.

Friends launched a Facebook page desperate to make a connection.

That connectioncame Wednesday, supporters announced in a post to the page.

"An amazing man named Andy has tested positive to be a match for Jack, and will be donating part of his liver to Jack next week," the post reads.

The incident, however, highlights a challenge for those in need of organ donations in Alberta.

Dr. James Shapiro is in charge of the province's living donor liver transplant program.

"We know that up to a third will die while waiting for a transplant, and it's an absolute tragedy," he told CBC News earlier this month.

"We just don't have enough organs to go around."

• Taber rallies to help councillor who needs liver transplant