Chicago Friend's Liver Donation Saves California Mom's Life

A chance ER visit led to a shocking cancer diagnosis, but a lifesaving gift from a close friend in Chicago turned the story around.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:19am

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Amy Piccioli, a 39-year-old mother of three in Los Angeles, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer that had spread to her liver after a routine ER visit for a stomach bug. With no family history and no symptoms, the diagnosis was devastating. But a close friend in Chicago, Lauren Prior, stepped up to donate part of her liver, giving Piccioli a second chance at life.

Why it matters

Piccioli's story highlights the importance of living organ donation, which can be a lifesaving option for those with advanced cancer or other terminal illnesses. It also underscores the power of friendship and community support in the face of a health crisis.

The details

After several rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries, Piccioli's colon cancer was eliminated, but the disease remained in her liver. The transplant team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital recommended finding a living donor, and Piccioli's friend Lauren Prior, who lives in Chicago's suburbs, was a match. Last year, Prior underwent surgery to donate a portion of her liver, which allowed a healthy liver to grow in Piccioli, ridding her body of detectable cancer.

  • Less than two years ago, Piccioli went to the ER near her home in Los Angeles for a stomach bug.
  • Piccioli was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer that had spread to her liver.
  • Piccioli underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries over the course of a year.
  • Late last year, Prior donated part of her liver to Piccioli.

The players

Amy Piccioli

A 39-year-old mother of three in Los Angeles who was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer that had spread to her liver.

Lauren Prior

Piccioli's close friend who lives in Chicago's north suburbs and donated part of her liver to Piccioli, giving her a second chance at life.

Dr. Zach Dietch

A transplant specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital who recommended Piccioli look for a living donor.

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What they’re saying

“Her life is so important to me, it's important to my family…it was what I could do to help her.”

— Lauren Prior (NBC Chicago)

“There's nothing that i could ever do that could repay the gift that she's given me…it's incredible, it's incredible.”

— Amy Piccioli (NBC Chicago)

What’s next

Piccioli will continue to be monitored closely by her medical team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital to ensure the transplant is successful and her cancer remains in remission.

The takeaway

Piccioli's story underscores the power of friendship and the life-changing impact of living organ donation. Her journey serves as an inspiration for others facing terminal illnesses, reminding them that even in the darkest of times, there is hope.