Changes

Heather Krueger, a nursing student, begins feeling ill.  She is diagnosed with Stage 4 autoimmune hepatitis and needs a liver transplant.  However, the large number of transplant patients on the list will make it unlikely for her to find a donor, and none of her family are a match.

Heather Krueger, a nursing student, begins feeling ill.  She is diagnosed with Stage 4 autoimmune hepatitis and needs a liver transplant.  However, the large number of transplant patients on the list will make it unlikely for her to find a donor, and none of her family are a match.

While working at a Christmas tree farm (owned by Heather's cousin, Jack), Chris Dempsey (a recently-discharged Marine) overhears the need.  He decides to have himself tested; to everyone's surprise he is found to be a perfect match for Heather.  He agrees to go through with the operation, which turns out to be a complete success.

While working at a Christmas tree farm (owned by Heather's cousin, Jack), Chris Dempsey (a recently discharged Marine) overhears the need.  He decides to have himself tested; to everyone's surprise he is found to be a perfect match for Heather.  He agrees to go through with the operation, which turns out to be a complete success.

After their discharge, Chris and Heather go their separate ways.  Chris decides to hold a fundraiser through his motorcycle club to help Heather with her bills.  Ultimately the two reunite on Christmas Day and begin a romance.

After their discharge, Chris and Heather go their separate ways.  Chris decides to hold a fundraiser through his motorcycle club to help Heather with her bills.  Ultimately the two reunite on Christmas Day and begin a romance.

==Differences between the film and real life==

==Differences between the film and real life==

*In the film Heather is first diagnosed with a liver disease requiring a transplant.  In real life she had known of her disease for two years, but her health worsened until the miraculous transplant.

*In the film Heather is first diagnosed with a liver disease requiring a transplant.  In real life she had known of her disease for two years, but her health worsened until the miraculous transplant.

*In the film Chris is a recently-discharged marine working for Jack at a Christmas tree farm.  In real life Chris had long been discharged, and he and Heather's cousin (name not specified) were both city employees for the Village of Frankfort, Illinois (a Chicago suburb).

*In the film Chris is a recently discharged marine working for Jack at a Christmas tree farm.  In real life Chris had long been discharged, and he and Heather's cousin (name not specified) were both city employees for the Village of Frankfort, Illinois (a Chicago suburb).

*In the film Chris and Heather briefly meet at a bar (after each of their dates go poorly), before Chris discovers he's a match.  In real life Chris and Heather had never met before the match.

*In the film Chris and Heather briefly meet at a bar (after each of their dates go poorly), before Chris discovers he's a match.  In real life Chris and Heather had never met before the match.

*In the film Chris and Heather part ways after the operation before reuniting.  In real life they continued to see each other, during which time their romance blossomed.

*In the film Chris and Heather part ways after the operation before reuniting.  In real life they continued to see each other, during which time their romance blossomed.