In 2020, Brian Flynn anonymously donated part of his liver to then-4-year-old Richie Ramirez, saving his life
His only hope for a long life was a liver donor, and he ended up matching with anonymous donor, Brian Flynn, who was 51
Years after Ramirez’s transplant surgery, Flynn surprised Ramirez on May 4 at his first communion, where the boy burst into tears
It was the sweetest — and the most heartfelt — reunion.
On May 4, living donor Brian Flynn, 54, who donated a part of his liver to then-4-year-old Richie Ramirez in 2020, surprised the young boy at his first communion in Brooklyn, New York.
Richie had no idea his parents had planned the surprise, and when Richie turned and saw Flynn standing in the church, he burst into tears.
“What a privilege to be a part of Richie’s life,” Flynn tells PEOPLE. “They all call me the GOAT for having shared part of my liver with him four years ago, but he’s the true hero of this story. The best gift for me is seeing him thrive and bring so much joy to so many people. Donating was the most amazing thing I’ve done in my life.”
Richie’s mom, Melissa Ramirez, shared a photo of the precious moment on Instagram, writing, “Proof the LOVE is the strongest emotion, and showing up matters!”
“Brian and Amy, we are so humbled and honored that you choose to be in Richie’s life. We love you!” she added of Flynn’s wife, Amy Scheibe. “So glad that our family and friends got to meet you in person.”
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Flynn first met Richie in person in 2021, a year after the successful transplant, which PEOPLE documented at the time.
While Flynn had chosen to donate anonymously, a day after the surgery a social worker told him the Ramirez’s were open to correspondence, and he agreed. Melissa wrote Flynn a letter from Richie’s bedside as he recovered, thanking him.
Flynn said he sobbed when he got it.
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“I was just overwhelmed,” he said at the time. “Overwhelmed with gratitude that it happened and that Richie was okay. And hearing his story and how difficult it was living with this disease, and what his parents had been going through, and how appreciative they were. It really was just a great moment in life.”
It had only been a year before the transplant that Melissa and husband Richard were struggling with the news that their high-spirited son Richie had been diagnosed with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition that was causing his liver to fail.
“He was our miracle baby,” says Melissa, now 43, of Richie, who was born after their third and final round of IVF. They were told a liver transplant would be Richie’s best hope at a long, healthy life. They had no idea what was in the cards or how long they’d have to wait to find a match.
But not soon after, they got a call saying there had been a perfect match — the man was Flynn. The surgery was scheduled for just ten days later.
Now, the two families stay in touch, and Flynn, who had just a year before that donated a kidney to another stranger, loves seeing how Richie is growing and thriving.
Flynn and Melissa initially wanted to share their story with PEOPLE to encourage more living donors.
“The idea of saving a life is tremendous, but it’s also tremendous how it can make you feel,” Flynn said at the time. “And how it can make your life better.”
