TJ has battled an auto-immune liver disease (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis aka PSC) for the past 22 years. PSC is a progressive illness that attacks the bile ducts causing scarring, blockages, and in many cases bile duct cancer. PSC is strongly associated with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, which TJ also suffers from. There is no cure for PSC, but a liver transplant is currently the best treatment to eliminate the awful symptoms and avoid bile duct cancer. Due to TJ’s liver failure he experiences daily fatigue, severe pain due to bile duct blockages and spasms, cholestatic pruritis (an awful deep itching due to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood), and nausea. There is no area of life that isn’t effected by TJ’s chronic illnesses, in fact it is quite amazing how many functions the liver does and how problems can distress the whole body. Thankfully, the University of Utah is now offering living liver donations, which means that TJ can end his 6 year wait on the very long traditional liver transplant list. An angel of a friend, Rachel, has offered and been approved to donate part of her liver to TJ. Rachel came into our lives a year ago, and upon hearing TJ’s story, knew she wanted to help. After many months of praying and research and numerous tests we found out that Rachel is a great match. The surgery is currently scheduled for July 17th. We are asking family and friends to help with critical expenses TJ will face immediately after surgery.

TJ is an amazing and devoted father of 3 and a wonderful husband to Ainsley. Grace (14), Lucas (11), and Addison (8) are his pride, joy, and whole world. Despite his chronic health conditions, TJ has persevered to live a productive and full life. Coaching T-ball, baseball, and football for the past 8 years, he has become a staple to the little league and youth football communities. He always puts his children first, never missing a sports game, dance performance, or school activity no matter how he feels. TJ’s desire to push forward and keeping living life has helped him avoid the inevitable for a long time. But now it’s time for TJ’s liver transplant journey to finally really begin, and he needs our help.

While TJ has health insurance, many transplant expenses are surprisingly not covered. We were told to anticipate his anti-rejection medications to be up to $5,000 per month. These are medications TJ will take for the rest of his life. Another major expense will be the travel and living costs following the surgery. TJ and his family live in Boise, Idaho 338 miles from the nearest transplant center at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. TJ’s wife, Ainsley, and Mom, Nancy, will be his main care takers during his recovery time. Ainsley works full time in Boise and will have to make several trips back and forth between SLC and Boise to maintain her job and their home. During the 2 months following the surgery, TJ and his care takers will need to live near the transplant center for daily visits and blood work. To give an idea of the expenses we expect, here is a list of some of the estimated costs:
One way flight to SLC – $89
Cost of gas one way – $38
Hotel room for 1 night – $75
Week of groceries for TJ and care takers – $100

Donations to Help Hope Live can help ease the financial burden of a transplant and allow TJ to focus on a healthy recovery and a long life ahead with his family and friends. Please feel free to share TJ’s story on your own social media or with any church or work groups.

TJ has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility to the full extent allowed by law for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!