Former MLB Star Steven Register Finds Liver Donor in High-School Classmate After 20 Years

In a heartwarming twist of fate, Steven Register, a former MLB pitcher who played for the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies, has found a lifeline in a high-school classmate he hadn’t seen in over two decades. Diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in April 2024, Register, 42, faced a grim prognosis—a year to a year-and-a-half to live, according to doctors. But hope emerged when Kristin Johnston, a 40-year-old preschool teacher from Georgia, stumbled upon a desperate plea for a liver donor on social media.

Register’s journey has been a grueling one. After losing 15 pounds in a month and battling severe appetite loss, he and his wife, Beth, sought treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Chemotherapy and surgery for a temporary ostomy bag became part of his fight, but when tumors in his liver grew too large for resection, a transplant became his best shot at survival. That’s when Beth turned to Facebook, creating a group to find a living donor.

Enter Johnston, who recognized Register from their days at Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia, back in 1999. Their paths hadn’t crossed since, yet when she saw the post, something clicked. A quick check confirmed they shared the same blood type—B positive—and after further testing, she was cleared as a match. The news came on Good Friday, a symbolic moment that deepened the sense of destiny surrounding this reunion.

The upcoming surgery, expected to last 12 to 14 hours, will see 70% of Johnston’s liver transplanted into Register. Both portions will regenerate over time, offering a renewed chance at life. For Register, a father of three, this could mean becoming cancer-free. For Johnston, also a parent of three, it’s the ultimate gift—a selfless act that’s left the Register family in awe. As Beth put it, Johnston is giving her husband 'a fresh start in this journey.'

This story isn’t just about survival; it’s a powerful reminder of the impact of living organ donation. Many don’t realize that donating a part of a liver or kidney is even an option, yet it can transform lives. The Registers, who’ve launched a fundraiser to cover medical and travel costs, hope their experience inspires others. And in a world often divided, this reconnection—fueled by fate and kindness—proves that sometimes, the past holds the key to the future.