New Jersey Coach Gets Liver Transplant From Former Player Killed In Crash

By Brad Segall

BERGENFIELD, N.J. (CBS) -- A North Jersey coach has a new liver and it comes from one of his former players who died last week from injuries he sustained in a crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike last month.

Ed Mooney had been on the transplant list since last summer, his health slowly deteriorating. Then came word from Dan Glover's mom that her 24-year-old son had died in an accident and they wanted to donate his liver to the 52-year-old man.

Mooney spoke to our sister radio station 1010 WINS in New York.

"She basically said that Danny wanted to give me the gift of life. I kind of broke a little bit. So like how to call somebody back and say 'thank you and I'm sorry at the same time?'"

Mooney coached Glover in Little League more than a decade ago.

Rick Hasz, Vice President of Clinical Services for the Gift of Life Donor Program, says many people don't realize they can designate someone to receive an organ.

"The law allows you as an individual to direct your donation to an individual," Hasz explained.

The chance of compatibility is slim.

Glover was a star wrestler at Ursinus College in Montgomery County. His family says dozens of others are benefitting from his organs and tissues.