'Livers-In-Law' Amaze Doctors

Livers-in-law" Curt Bludworth and Raymond Munoz, the two men on opposite sides of a historic organ transplant two weeks ago, are both recovering so rapidly that their doctors are amazed.

"They are doing extremely well," said Dr. Nicolas Jabbour of the University of Southern California University Hospital, where the transplant was performed May 12.

Bludworth, 33, a Midtown resident, flew home to Atlanta on Friday after receiving a final checkup. He'll be recovering for the next two months and is working on starting a nonprofit foundation to help finance people wanting to follow his example and become living organ donors.

Munoz, 53, of East Los Angeles, who was critically ill with hepatitis C, is at home now, "feeling like a new man." He was discharged from the hospital Tuesday.

The two plan to hold a reunion in about six months. Munoz calls Bludworth his "liver-in-law."

Bludworth says he has no regrets. "Even in my darkest days, when I was in a lot of pain, I never, never once had a second thought about why I did this," Bludworth said. He is the first person in the nation to make an "at-large" donation of part of his liver to anyone on the waiting list. Bludworth's liver should regenerate, causing him no long-term ill effects.

Many people have contacted the AJC wanting to know how to reach Bludworth. The address: Curt Bludworth, 800 Peachtree St. N.E., Apt. 8531, Atlanta, GA 30308.

Copyright © 2000 Cox Interactive Media.