Video: Steve Jobs Opens Up On Liver Transplant

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has finally broken his silence and opened up about his liver transplant last year. As many of you may or may not be aware, Jobs was secretly hospitalized last year in Memphis, Tennessee to receive a liver transplant. Luckily, he was able to quickly find a donor there, and have the new organ replace his old damaged liver.

Now, Jobs is partnering with California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to raise awareness of the SB 1395 legislation  by state Sen. Elaine Alquist that would make it mandatory for California residents to answer whether or not they would like to be part of the organ donor program before the Department of Motor Vehicles [DMV] issues or renews their license. Currently, the California DMV hands out licenses to people even if the question is not answered at all.

During his speech, Steve Jobs tells the story of his ordeal last year. He explains:

“Last year, I received a liver transplant. I was very fortunate because many others died waiting to receive one. Last year in California, there were 671 liver transplants. But last year there were also 3,400 people waiting for a liver, and over 400 of them died waiting in California. I was almost one of the ones that died waiting for a liver in California last year. I was receiving great care here in Stanford, but there were simply not enough livers in California to go around. And my doctors here advised me to enroll on a transplant program in Memphis, Tennessee, where the supply-demand ration of livers is more favorable than it’s in California here. And I was lucky enough to get a liver in time, as a matter of fact this coming week is my one year anniversary.”

He goes on to explain more about the current situation in California when it comes to organ donations. His speech starts 13:00 minutes into the video. Additionally, you can find out more about the legislation at the Office of the Governor website.

Check out the video of the press conference below.