02-07-2025
Ottawa firefighter recovering after lifesaving liver transplant donated by colleague
An Ottawa firefighter is recovering after receiving a lifesaving liver transplant from a fellow colleague.
'I feel 10 years younger than I did before the surgery,' said Matt Gobey. 'My energy is better, my mood is better, I'm not getting migraines anymore.'
The Ottawa firefighter had end-stage liver disease and spoke to CTV News Ottawa about his desperate search for a donor in January. His wife launched a social media campaign trying to reach as many potential donors as possible.
His transplant took place in Toronto in May.
Ottawa fire
Matt Gobey gives a thumbs up as he leaves hospital following a liver transplant in May. (Michèle-Laure Gobey/Provided)
'I'm back to driving. I'm back to showering unassisted. Little things that I used to take for granted that I haven't been able to do,' Gobey said. 'I still can't carry a heavy bag of groceries, but I'll get there.'
He said he's recovering well and that hours after surgery, he was able to walk on his own from one bed to another when he had to switch rooms 'much to everyone's surprise, including my own.'
Gobey's wife Michèle-Laure says it's been life changing.
'My biggest thing that I've noticed in him is that he's able to have fun and just laugh and sit and enjoy the moments,' she said.
'Just from our past work, we're usually the ones giving the help and now to get the help, it's just been very healing, very incredible, very emotional and now he's back.'
No one in Gobey's family was a match but someone in his firefighter family was.
'I just feel as firefighters, we have this dedication to each other and leaving no one behind,' said Genna McMillan, who was tested and told she was the ideal donor for Gobey.
She says this highlights the importance of the living donor program.
'I'm feeling energized. Everything's healed up really well and I'm feeling really, really great,' McMillan said.
'When I got to see Matt feeling better and up and walking around, it made any discomfort I was going through totally worth it and that's what it was all about. I would highly recommend it.'
Matt Gobey
Ottawa firefighters Genna McMillan (left) and Matt Gobey after McMillan donated part of her liver to him. (Michèle-Laure Gobey)
Ottawa fire
Ottawa firefighter Genna McMillan was presented with a donor medal after donating part of her liver to a colleague (Genna McMillan/Provided)
Gobey said thank you will never be enough to express his gratitude.
'The risk, the cost, the discomfort, everything she had to endure to give me my life back. Give my wife her husband back, give my kids their dad back. I don't know if there are words for it,' Gobey said.
McMillan added: 'It's so incredible to have had the opportunity to be a part of that journey with Michèle and Matt. I'm just really, really excited for them and I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting back to work. That'll be a really exciting day for all of us at Ottawa Fire.'
There's no timeline for it yet but getting back to work is something Gobey is looking forward to.
'That's how I'll know I've really got my life back is when I can get back to doing the job I love,' he said.
