Two Strangers Fall In Love After A Selfless Liver Transplant Saves Her Life

This Illinois couple doesn’t have a typical love story, but it might be something straight out of a romance novel.

It all started when Heather Krueger was diagnosed with stage 4 liver disease in March 2014. The outcome was looking bleak for her.

“I was told I had less than a 50 percent chance of living more than two months. It was traumatic,” Krueger told ABC News.

At this time, Chris Dempsey heard about the story through his co-worker. The co-worker happened to be Heather’s cousin, who had been discussing the medical dilemma. When Chris heard about the tragedy the family was going through, he didn’t hesitate to get involved.

“When I heard about it, I just thought I would want someone to help me,” Chris said.

Soon Chris was taking the necessary tests to see if he was a viable candidate to donate a portion of his liver, and luckily he was!

“He called me and said the tests came out great, let’s do this, I’m a match, I’m your donor,” said Heather. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Soon after discovering they were matches, the two underwent the surgeries that took over eight hours. Doctors removed 55 percent of Chris’s liver, which was only the first step in a long 2-month recovery process. During their recovery, the couple began to fall in love.

Now, months after the long recovery process has come to a close, the couple is looking toward the future. Last month, Chris proposed to Heather and they have commenced upon the next chapter of their life together.

He said, “you never know what will happen to change someone’s life. I never would have thought this a year ago.”

The couple plans to marry in October and hopes to include the doctors and other medical staff in their wedding. Krueger’s cousin, who “introduced” the couple, will serve as a groomsman.

[Featured Image Credit: ABC]