Son: ‘She is my mom. She gave birth to me. Why wouldn’t I donate my liver?’

For 19 years, Marsi Ashman Dow has cared for her youngest child and only son. So, when she needed a liver transplant, Joseph Dow became his mother’s living donor.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

There are pictures that capture special moments of this mother-son relationship: A little boy dressed in a superhero costume and a smiling teen wearing a bow tie ready for a middle school dance. Then there’s a photo of a young man standing next to his mother’s hospital bed just days after a major surgery.

That last photo was taken at IU Health University Hospital when the weather was still cold and snowy. On Feb. 16, 2026, Joseph Dow donated a life-saving organ to his mother. The transplant was impactful in many ways. The surgery was the 50^th living liver donor transplant since IU Health started the program in 2020.

Joseph’s family – including his two older sisters – have long recognized his selfless concern for others. The 2024 graduate of Jay County Junior-Senior High School was on the swim team and played trumpet in the band. What his family members remember is his generous spirit.

He was in middle school when he slipped an extra pair of shoes in his backpack one day. The story is that he noticed another student needed new shoes and he took it upon himself to provide them. When the family took a service trip to work with refugees, Joseph overcame communication barriers by playing games with the younger children.

“Joseph has grown up and was raised around people who help others and give back to the community,” said Marsi Dow, 55. When he was old enough to join Cub Scouts, Joseph enjoyed visiting residents in the nursing home, coloring them pictures, and taking them flowers and holiday gifts. He also enjoyed collecting food items for the local pantry, always wanting to shop for more.

So, when his mother needed a liver transplant, Joseph along with his siblings, stepped up to be tested. He emerged as a match.

At IU Health, both living kidney and liver donors provide renewed health to those in need. Donors are not necessarily related to the recipient. Compatibility is based on many factors. Both donors and recipients work with a team of IU Health transplant experts including physicians, donor coordinators, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, and financial coordinators. Donors undergo an initial screening, multiple tests and evaluations.

When Joseph Dow received the call that he was a match, he said he didn’t hesitate for a moment. “She is my mom. She gave birth to me, and she’s cared for me my whole life and treated me with love and compassion,” said Joseph, a sophomore at Ball State University. His decision to become a donor also makes him the youngest living liver donor since the program started at IU Health. A living liver donor must be at least 18 years old.

For Marsi Dow, that meant a chance at improved health and a time to continue giving back to her family and community. Her health issues began in 2008 when she was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. At the time, she was seeing a doctor closer to her Portland, Ind. home. She also had ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. By Thanksgiving 2024, Marsi was so weak she could barely stay awake at the dinner table. She had other symptoms too – slurred words and disagreeable behavior. Her children took her to ER. She was transported to IU Health University Hospital where she learned her liver was failing. The following month she learned she needed a transplant. She was in the surgical care of Drs. Chandrashekhar Kubal and Plamen V. Mihaylov and a team of specially trained clinicians. The team has averaged 520 transplants since 2021. IU Health is the only center in Indiana approved to perform all organ transplants and the only liver, lung, and pancreas transplant program in the state. IU Health is the only living liver donor transplant program in Indiana. The transplant involved removing a portion of Joseph’s liver and using it to replace his mom’s diseased liver. Joseph’s liver regenerates and returns to full function in months.

Back in their Portland, Ind. home Joseph returned to Ball State University where he is a studying graphic design. He enjoys practicing martial arts and just hanging out with his family. His mom continues healing and looking forward to celebrating another Mother’s Day.

“He did what he did because he wanted to, not for recognition, not to make other people happy but he made himself happy,” said his mom. “If you could get past his ornery silliness, you’d see he has the biggest heart ever.”