When we refer to someone as a "giving" person, we're usually referring to their generous nature, perhaps even regarding small matters. When people refer to Becky Paull that way, they mean it literally.

Paull, assistant director of athletics for media relations at the University of Idaho, donated 60 percent of her liver to her sister's husband, Tom Fitzpatrick.

"We salute Becky's courage and selflessness," said Mike Bohn, Idaho's director of athletics. "This is a true example of generosity and family."

Paull underwent the surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver in September. She's now back at Idaho. Fitzpatrick was released recently from the hospital in Denver.

Fitzpatrick had suffered from chronic liver disease for many years. He had been on the cadaver donor list since April, but no donor became available. When the Fitzpatricks learned of the live donor procedure, several blood relatives were tested for compatibility, but the one who matched was no relation at all -- Paull.

The Colorado Health Sciences has done only 29 previous live-donor transplants, and Paull is believed to be one of the first to donate to a nonblood relative.

In the procedure, the donated portion of the liver is removed from the donor and the donor liver regenerates itself into a working liver in a matter of months. Likewise, the donated portion takes some time to regenerate, but it, too, eventually becomes a fully functioning liver.

Paull underwent a battery of tests leading up to the surgery, then it was called off because Fitzpatrick was too ill to be a recipient. After a 10-day stay in intensive care, Fitzpatrick improved enough for the procedure to go forward.

Paull got the call and had only three days to prepare for the surgery. She worked the Idaho-Washington State University football game September 23 and flew to Denver the next day to check in for the surgery on the 26th.

Paull had planned to donate 40 percent of her liver, but doctors determined that wouldn't be enough to sustain Fitzpatrick, who is a large man, until the regeneration started. So Paull gave 60 percent.

Even though the entire process was life-changing and even somewhat life-threatening, Paull said she made the right choice.

"It was not a hard decision for me to make. Tom has been a part of my sister's life for many years and therefore a part of our family," she said. "I've seen him suffer for so long -- I am just happy I could make this happen for him."