Bishop and donor leave hospital

Bishop William K. Weigand and the man who gave him a second chance at life were released from the hospital this weekend.

Weigand received a portion of Sacramento firefighter Dan Haverty's liver April 1 in a transplant performed at the University of California, San Francisco. The transplant offered the best chance of survival for the bishop, who suffered from a condition that causes scarring of the liver and can cause it to shut down.

The bishop, 67, left the hospital Friday night, and Haverty, 50, was released Saturday afternoon. Doctors said both men were doing well and have a good chance of making a full recovery.

Haverty, a devout Catholic who lives in El Dorado Hills, had met Weigand only once before offering to undergo the risky transplant but said he felt called to do so. The two men have become close friends.

The bishop and his donor said an emotional goodbye Friday night, said Haverty's wife, Terri.

"I feel pretty sure that we'll be in contact with him forever, as if he were family," Terri Haverty said. "We have developed an unbelievable bond."

Cards for Weigand may be sent to the bishop's office at 2110 Broadway, Sacramento, 95818. Correspondence to Haverty may be sent to Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, 2101 Hurley Way, Sacramento, 95825.

About the writer:

• The Bee's Cynthia Hubert can be reached at (916) 321-1082 or chubert@sacbee.com.