Do you want to cure cancer? Well maybe not for everyone but for me. I have been dealing with Stage IV – that is, cancer that has spread/metastasized – colorectal cancer for more than three years now. Chemo has been working well, but it eventually stops working … and the cancer never does. (I am now on my third “cocktail,” which my oncologist told us is the last really good one.) However, after having had colon surgery, the only remaining tumors are in my liver. These are inoperable, but because they are the only tumors left in me, I am a very good candidate for a liver transplant, which would leave me CANCER FREE.
The big catch is that because transplants for such cancers are still new, I will be very low on the list and am unlikely to get a cadaver liver. My only hope is that someone will do a living donation of part of their own liver. The liver grows back, so basically, a donor gives about half a liver – and within six to eight weeks, both the donor and I will have a full, healthy liver!
It is a process — the donor will have to be tested and end up in the hospital for five to seven days. (All the costs are covered, of course. And Jon and I are allowed to compensate donors for any lost wages and travel – anything the program and insurance don’t cover!) But you could save my life — and cure cancer, at least for one person. Would you click through to the Beth Israel Hospital Living Liver Donor site (you can also access it here: https://bidmc.org/services/organ-transplant/organ-donation/living-liver) to find out more? You can also call the liver donor folks directly at 617-632-9700. (PS: We have been told the upper age limit is now 60, not the 55 mentioned here.) Or reach out to me directly at musetta11m@gmail.com! I can answer a lot of questions!
Liver donors
- Age 18-60 (55–60 need to have no comorbidities)
- Blood type A or O (negative or positive)
- Hospital stay required, but all costs covered
- Your liver will grow back
- You could save a life!
- Probably needless to say, but you will be thanked in all my books – as well as have naming rights and as many copies of whatever titles you would desire!