Can you imagine giving a big chunk of one of your vital internal organs to a complete stranger?

The mere thought of it probably makes a lot of people queasy. But one local woman did just that in a stunning and heart warming example of compassion for another human being.

Kristen Hovey, of Fort Dodge, donated 66 percent of her liver to Isaac Hernandez, a young man in Texas suffering from an autoimmune disorder that attacked his liver.

Their story did not end with the April 12, 2022, surgery. Hovey and Hernandez have stayed in touch and even co-authored a children’s book for pediatric liver transplant patients.

Their real-life saga began when Hovey learned that a friend and co-worker’s brother needed a new liver.

She did some research and learned about the living donation option for liver transplants. Remarkably, she was moved to sign up to be a living liver donor in 2020. More online research followed, and Hovey found a post from Hernandez’s mother, explaining his plight. She volunteered herself and doctors found her and Hernandez to be a match. The surgery was done in San Antonio, Texas.

Hovey and Hernandez wrote their book, which includes advice from a donor and a recipient. Then they formed a non-profit organization called Lil Lambs of Jesus to support the printing and distribution of their book.

The story of Kristen Hovey and Isaac Hernandez is an inspiring one.

It should inspire the rest of us to be more compassionate to the people around us. If it inspires others to become organ donors, that’s wonderful. Being an organ donor isn’t for everyone, obviously. But there are lots of other ways to be compassionate to others. Even just saying hello to a stranger might be enough to give a lift to someone having a bad day.

At a time when the world seems overcome by anger, violence and hatred, the example set by these two should move the rest of us toward being kinder and gentler.