Transplant Type - Liver

Carole went to the doctor in June 2008 for a routine check-up. Blood work revealed abnormal liver functions. After undergoing further tests, Carole was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile ducts. There is no cure for her disease, and doctors say her only hope is a liver transplant.

Carole's life has undergone drastic changes in the short time since her diagnosis. Her health has rapidly declined, forcing her to retire from her job as a school crossing guard, a position she held for 22 years. She has also spent the past 30 years working as a flea market dealer, and she's had to give that up too.

Now she needs your help.

A liver transplant costs approximately $500,000, and that's only the beginning. Even with health insurance, Carole will face significant medical expenses. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. The cost of post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month--and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself.

It is estimated that in the short term, Carole will need at least $50,000 to cover her medical expenses. To make matters worse, her husband, Daniel, was recently laid off from his job. He has postponed his job search until after Carole's transplant, so he can accompany her to the many doctors' appointments she requires. The family will have to temporarily relocate to be near the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where the transplant will take place, further adding to their financial burdens.

Please help! Your gift to the NFT Pennsylvania Liver Fund will enable us to assist Carole with her transplant expenses. To make a secure online donation, please click on the link beneath Carole's photo. If you prefer to mail your gift, please send it to NFT Pennsylvania Liver Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write "in honor of Carole Stites-Luka" in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity! With your help, NFT can help change Carole's life.

Patient Health Institute: Mayo Clinic