19-year-old Hamden woman meets 22-year-old stranger who donated his liver to her

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(ABC News) – An emotional reunion more than three months in the making took place live on "Good Morning America" ​​when a 19-year-old girl puts the complete stranger who gave her his liver.

Madison Ricci, 19, and Jaelin Highsmith, 22, underwent a liver transplant surgery in a total of 20 hours.

Ricci's medical complications after the surgery in the morning. Highsmith in person. Highsmith surprised her live on "GMA" at her family's home in Hamden, Connecticut.

Madison Ricci, 19, and Jaelin Highsmith, 22, meet for the first time on
(ABC) Madison Ricci, 19, and Jaelin Highsmith, 22, meet for the first time on "GMA."

"I'm speechless," said Ricci, who just had two words for Highsmith: "Thank you."

"Unreal, that's the best way to describe it," Highsmith said of their first meeting. "It's been a long time in the making."

Ricci was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, at age 12.

Madison Ricci, 19, was diagnosed with lupus at age 12.
(Courtesy Kristine Ricci) Madison Ricci, 19, was diagnosed with lupus at age 12.

While on spring break at the University of Tampa, Ricci's health deteriorated. Doctors told her family that the best hope for survival for a transplant, which has been given to a living donor.

After a couple of months of waiting for a fellowship – Ricci learned she had a match.

Madison Ricci underwent a liver transplant surgery in December.
(Courtesy Kristine Ricci) Madison Ricci underwent a liver transplant surgery in December.

Highsmith volunteered to be Ricci's donor after one of his best friends – a family friend of Ricci's

He had only a five to 10% chance of being a match for Ricci, according to her family. Yet after four months of testing, Yale-New Haven Hospital has been determined to be a match.

"The bottom line was there no way I could pass it up," he said. "I would have been able to do this, I would do it."

Jaelin Highsmith volunteered to be a donor for a 19-year-old student college he had never met.
(Courtesy Jaelin Highsmith) Jaelin Highsmith volunteered to be a donor for a 19-year-old college student he had never met.

Highsmith and Ricci began to communicate by text message after text and social media before they were able to meet in person.

"Maddie and Jae have so many similarities, it's just amazing to us," said Ricci's mom, Kristine Ricci. "We are forever grateful for Jaelin and their entire family."

Madison Ricci, 19, and Jaelin Highsmith, 22, meet for the first time live on
(ABC) Madison Ricci, 19, and Jaelin Highsmith, 22, meet for the first time live on "Good Morning America."

Highsmith has also stood by Ricci's family as they continue to support her recovery, including helping them raise money for her ongoing medical treatment.

"The connection and the love we share is just amazing," Kristine Ricci said.

For more information on living organ donations visit the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a private, non-profit organization that manages the nation's organ transplant system.

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