Jordan “Sonny” Bailey was 10 years out of high school, newly married and working for United Parcel Service when his world turned on a dime. He was diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer with less than a three percent survival rate.

 

The past three years have been a journey of extreme highs and lows. But 2021 has delivered new hope in the form of a liver transplant and anticipated clean bill of health. From Cleveland Clinic – where he had surgery less than a week ago – he thanks everyone for the abundance of love and support he has received.

 

“I’m doing very well from what I’m being told – flying through the steps,” he said. “I still can’t believe I’m living every day with a piece of an angel inside me.”

 

That angel is Angela Bowen Young, who stepped forward and offered a portion of her liver when Bailey’s mom Traci sent out a heartfelt request on social media seeking a type O liver donor.

 

“Angela is a young mother who said she lost her daddy way too young and wanted to be Jordan’s match,” Traci Bailey said. “She kept in touch daily with Jordan ...It was like they both knew from that first exchange that they were brought together by God himself.”

 

Bailey, of Clarksburg, first sought medical attention in May of 2018 when he was experiencing extreme pain in his side. A very large mass was discovered, and scans showed that his liver was lumpy and very enlarged. The official diagnosis was primary hepatocellular carcinoma and chemotherapy was recommended.

 

The Bailey family, however, felt led to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. At that time, Jordan was not a candidate for transplant, but the 24-centimeter tumor was ultimately removed as well as the cancer that had metastasized to his diaphragm, vena cava and gallbladder.

 

“His surgeon rebuilt his vena cava and diaphragm,” Traci said. “It seemed we were blessed with a miracle!”

 

Declared cancer free, Jordan and his wife Julia became the proud parents of a daughter, Olliana, born June 28, 2019. He was back to work with UPS and life was once again good.

 

“I felt like everything was in the past and we were moving forward with our lives, happy,” Jordan said.

 

Then the cancer returned, in a most aggressive way. It was May 10, 2020, the day after Mother’s Day, when Jordan found out. It had also been the day after Mother’s Day in 2018 when Jordan was first diagnosed.

 

This time, a transplant was the only course of action. None of the family members were candidates. They were told that the average wait for a type O living donor was 16 months and they didn’t have that much time.

 

“The liver is quite a remarkable organ – the only one that regenerates,” Traci said. But how in the world do you find someone willing to donate a part of their organ? To go through the pain of surgery? Willing and able to spend time recuperating?”

 

Angela Young of Inwood, WV, was that selfless individual. Once she stepped forward, months of testing, transplant board meetings, approvals and insurance investigation followed. During those few short months, five tumors grew inside Jordan’s liver.

 

“But praise God they were only in his liver,” Traci said. “…If it had spread outside his liver, there would have been no recourse – a nightmare.”

 

On Sunday, Jan. 24, Jordan and Angela walked into Cleveland Clinic, where the following day 65 percent of Angela’s liver would be removed and transplanted into Jordan. It was a most successful surgery and both are recovering well.

 

Angela is expected to be released Saturday and Jordan on Monday; record times according to Cleveland Clinic. Both will remain in Cleveland for a number of weeks.

 

“They are both #baileystrong and we are praying for continued uncomplicated recovery for both,” Traci said.

 

Jordan has experienced a small bile leak, but it has successfully been repaired.

 

The family remains in awe of Angela’s selflessness.

 

“She was the first person to message me wanting to donate and was the first person to be called to Cleveland to be tested. I talked to Mom right after she messaged me and told her that she was going to be the one,” Jordan said. “Angela is like family to me now. She will literally always be a part of me!”

 

Community support has also played a major role in Jordan’s journey.

 

“The outpouring of love, prayers and well-wishes is absolutely amazing and overwhelming,” Traci said. “This has most definitely been the wind beneath our wings during this very frightening time. We can never express how important this has been to our success in reaching this miracle!”

 

Jordan reiterates and adds that he is grateful for his employer’s support. And his family members have been his shining stars, his source of strength.

 

“They have been my rock and helped me so much. Anything I need, they have been there for me,” he said.

 

Regardless of what lies ahead, Jordan will remain strong in his faith and determined to move forward in his life. With a loving, supportive wife by his side and a lively daughter who’s the apple of his eye, he has much motivation.

“I want to be there to grow old and be with them through every step of the future,” he said.

 

Donations can be made at Angela’s Go Fund Me page HERE and Jordan’s Venmo @jujubailey.