Thank you for taking the time to read this note and allow me to share my story in hopes to find a live liver donor. I also hope by sharing my story it may raise awareness and help others who suffer from the same condition.
I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis at the age of 24 and now I am 53 years old. This is a progressive disease passed on genetically that causes liver failure which I have been in for a number of years. Over the past three years I have required multiple hospitalizations. My quality of life and freedom has rapidly declined.
I am reaching out with the hope of finding an extraordinary individual who would consider being a donor. By becoming a live liver donor you would be giving the gift of my life back to me.
It could be many years before I am even considered for a deceased liver, or if ever for the sheer reality that many have passed away waiting for a donor. In the meantime everyday tasks are becoming more difficult. The physical and mental limitations progress each day but the most difficult loss is not fully participating in my children's lives on a daily basis.
I am blessed to have such a strong support system. Many family and friends in my life have helped me either by helping with the care of my children, driving me and the kids where we need to go, volunteering to be a donor and daily encouragement.
They have set up this website which will have additional information and a way to post messages or simply check in with how this process is unfolding.
There is no cure for this disease; my only option is a liver transplant. My doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Transplant team feel my best chance for survival and recovery is to find a live living donor. To be considered you will need to be between the ages of 18 and 55 and have a blood type of either O positive or O negative.
Many of my friends and family have come forward but have not been viable candidates either due to blood type or medical history.
Please see the links below that provide additional information on becoming a live liver donor. I want to thank all who take the time to read more about this disease and what it means to become a donor, which will raise awareness for others who suffer from the same condition.
If you are at all interested in learning more about the donor program please call the Beth Israel Living Donor Coordinator, Denise Morin, RN at 617-632-9717. Your inquiry is strictly confidential! If at any time you feel this is not right for you then you can simply change your mind and not move forward. No one, including myself, will ever know you called.
Please feel free to share this web site with anyone you know who might be interested. Here are a few web sites that provide more information:
http://www.caringbridge.org/donorinfoforlinda/mystory Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center Liver Transplant Institute (
http://www.bidmc.org/Centers-and-Departments/Departments/Transplant-Institute/Liver.aspx)
http://www.livingdonorassistance.org/ (
http://www.livingdonorassistance.org)
http://www.transplantliving.org/ (
http://www.transplantliving.org)
http://www.unos.org/ (
http://www.unos.org)
