Help Save My Dad’s Life:
My dad is a fighter, and he has been his entire life. When he was just 23 years old, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C after receiving a contaminated blood transfusion. At the time, there was no cure. He began a long and difficult medical journey, undergoing his first experimental treatment in Charlotte for 52 weeks. Sadly, it failed. Undeterred, he went on to try three more experimental treatments at UNC, all of which were unsuccessful. Then, after years of battling, he started a fourth treatment, and it worked. He was finally cured of Hepatitis C. But his fight was not over.
As a result of the treatment, my dad developed stage 3 lymphoma. He went through 18 grueling weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. Thankfully, he beat the cancer, and it has not returned. Just a few years ago, tragedy struck again. My dad was hit by an impaired driver in a stolen car. He was hospitalized for nearly a year, once again fighting for his life. Following the accident, he underwent seven back surgeries to help him recover. Then, over Christmas, he had to undergo another serious medical procedure to have a pacemaker implanted to help regulate his heart.
Due to non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver caused by years of illness and complications, he is in desperate need of a liver transplant. His blood type is O+, which means if you are O+ or O-, you may be a potential living donor. He also currently has to undergo paracentesis once a week, a procedure to remove excess fluid from his abdomen. These weekly treatments are medically necessary but increasingly expensive. In addition to medical costs, our family is also managing the financial strain of traveling back and forth from Raleigh to his hospital appointments, a round-trip journey of about an hour and a half. The cost of gas, lodging when needed, and meals during these trips is adding up quickly.
My dad is only 55 years old. He has three children, the youngest of whom is just 19 years old and currently in college at East Carolina University (ECU). He is also a proud grandfather to two young grandchildren, ages 4 and 5. He wants more time. He wants to watch his youngest grow, be there for his grandkids, and continue being the incredible father and grandfather we love so much. If you or someone you know is willing to learn more about becoming a living liver donor, please reach out. One selfless act could save his life and give our family more time with the man we love. If you would like to support our family with a donation to help cover medical expenses and travel costs, we would be deeply grateful. Every little bit helps us continue this fight.
