BATTLE AGAINST DISEASE FILMED.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - Brian Hinsley battled a deadly disease for 10 years, came within hours of his death as he waited for a donor liver, and now is using his new transplanted strength to show the pain he suffered and talk about what saved his life. The Santa Clarita firefighter is featured in a new documentary film made by the Public Broadcasting Service “PBS” redirects here. For other uses, see PBS (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Public Broadcasting Services in Malta. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS in association with Banyon Films and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Health and Human Services, HHS . ``I came close to dying a number of times,'' Hinsley said. ``Now it's my mission in life - it's my job to let others know that we were dealt this, and we survived because others cared.'' The 42-year-old Pine Mountain Pine Mountain may refer to:
``We were very overwhelmed and very humbled by the experience,'' said Hinsley, who also addressed the crowd following the taping. ``We were completely blown away.'' His wife, Kim, who attended the premiere with him said the event was very emotional. ``He's the first person and the last person you see on the film,'' said Kim Hinsley, adding that Larry Hagman was also featured. ``They gave him a standing ovation.'' Hinsley first became sick in 1990. He was initially diagnosed with hepatitis and suffered from jaundice jaundice (jôn`dĭs, jän`–), abnormal condition in which the body fluids and tissues, particularly the skin and eyes, take on a yellowish color as a result of an excess of bilirubin. , fatigue and loss of appetite loss of appetite Medtalk Anorexia, see there . His disease was later defined as autoimmune hepatitis Hepatitis, Autoimmune Definition A form of liver inflammation in which the body's immune system attacks liver cells. Description Autoimmunity causes the body's defense mechanisms to turn against itself. in which the body starts rejecting the liver. ``I got sicker and sicker every day,'' said Hinsley, who worked until 1997. ``Finally, I couldn't work anymore.'' It was in May 1997 when Hinsley was put on the transplant list at University of California, Los Angeles UCLA comprises the College of Letters and Science (the primary undergraduate college), seven professional schools, and five professional Health Science schools. Since 2001, UCLA has enrolled over 33,000 total students, and that number is steadily rising. . Then, during what he describes as the worst years of his life, he waited for the call. ``He only had hours left,'' said Kim Hinsley. ``He doesn't remember a lot of things because of the disease.'' During this time, he was contacted by representatives of Banyan Films who said that they were working on a documentary about organ transplants and donations and wanted to follow his story. ``When they started they knew that either I would be dead or I would be transplanted,'' Hinsley said. ``We always had the feeling I was going to make it, but it could have gone either way.'' For the next several years, the film crew followed Hinsley, even traveling with him to doctor visits and hospitalizations. ``They became part of our family,'' said Kim Hinsley, adding that she still sends crew members Christmas cards. ``They were here all day long. They saw us during good times and bad.'' The film crew was with Hinsley for three false calls, where he was prepped for surgery and then told that the donor liver was no good. It was two years ago that Hinsley got his new liver. All he knows is that it came from a 20-year-old male who was about his size. ``It's a big dilemma that someone has to die in order for me to live,'' Hinsley said. ``But it's a fact of life, and I'm glad that people are willing to give, in order to let others live.'' Six months later, Hinsley went back to work with the Los Angeles County Fire Department Not to be confused with Los Angeles Fire Department. The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), serves unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County, as well as 58 cities and towns that choose to have the county provide fire and EMS services, including the City of La and currently works as a firefighter and a paramedic par·a·med·ic n. A person who is trained to give emergency medical treatment or assist medical professionals. paramedic at Fire Station 107 in Canyon Country. ``It's still pretty emotional for me,'' he said. ``Not a lot of people get a chance to be near death and then make a complete and full recovery.'' CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Liver recipient Brian Hinsley is back on the job as a Santa Clarita firefighter. (2) Firefighter Brian Hinsley has been able to return to his job following a liver transplant liver transplant Hepatic transplant Transplant surgery A procedure that replaces a cancer conquered, metabolically defeated, or substance subjugated liver with one no longer required by its owner, many of whom donate same after an MVA Diseases requiring transplant . His ordeal was captured on film. (3) no caption (Brian Hinsley) David R. Crane/Staff Photographer |
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