Joe's Search for a living donor

 As many of you may know, our family recently received the most heartbreaking news—our dad was diagnosed with liver cancer this past July. His treatment options are limited to IR radioembolization treatments or a liver transplant.  

He has undergone radiation treatments to target the three existing tumors, but this is not a permanent solution and has left him extremely drained. Dad rarely took a day off work, but these treatments have exhausted him to the point of needing multiple days off to rest. A transplant would give him the chance to live a longer, healthier, and more normal life, allowing him more time and energy to enjoy the things he loves most, like spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. If you know our family, you know how much we rely on him as the rock that holds us together. 

 However, finding a liver for a transplant is not easy, especially since Dad has type O blood. There are over 100,000 people on the waiting list for a deceased donor liver, and those with type O blood face an even tougher challenge. Many wait for years, and sadly, some do not make it. However, there is another option: receiving a liver from a living donor. Dad is always the first to help others, never thinking twice about it, but asking for help is difficult for him. Asking a family member or friend to consider donating a liver is a huge request, but a living liver donation seems to be our only hope for the near future. We want to keep our dad with us for as long as possible. 

 Thank you for taking the time to read about my dad's story. If you are considering donating a liver to him, we would be happy to share more about his story and answer any questions you may have, as his daughters  have gone through the donor evaluation process. Unfortunately, they were denied due to the anatomy of their livers, which was heartbreaking for all of us. This shows how selective they are in ensuring the donor's safety.