John Melia needs a liver transplant. In 2001, John was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a rare autoimmune disease that causes the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver to become scarred, narrowed and eventually blocked which leads to liver damage and cirrhosis. This disease, which is unrelated to alcohol consumption, has no cure.
At the age of 40, John became a registered nurse. He received a degree in civil engineering, worked for the City of Methuen and in the private sector for many years, but felt a mid-life career change called to him.
John has always been the friend/neighbor/family member who is always willing to help, to give of himself and his time. Having always been interested in the medical profession, a new career as a nurse was a natural choice for him. He has worked at Lawrence General Hospital for the past 22 years, the last 17 of which have been in the operating room. John has always been an extremely active person, running marathons, and chasing after his three children.
Anyone who knows John will tell you that his love for his family, wife Kathleen (Lehane), and children Teagan (Kevin) Melia, Kelly Blanchette, and Molly Phongchit, is what motivates him to continue on this path for a new liver and a new chance at life. He expects his first grandchild this summer. His large extended family includes Mary Jane Decorpo, Michael Melia, Patricia Melia-Wholey, Ann McClellan, Martin Melia (deceased), Edward, Stephen, Daniel Melia, and Kathleen Gardella.
It was recently determined that John’s daughter, Molly, is a match and will be donating a portion of her liver to him. Molly is an Emergency Department nurse at Lawrence General Hospital and married Anikko Phongchit this past October.
While John has good insurance, which will cover most of his and Molly’s surgeries, they will have many out-of-pocket expenses that his insurance will not cover. These could include:
* copayments
* lost wages during a considerable recovery period
* travel, mileage, food
* household bills
* post transplant prescriptions (anti-rejection medications)
* rehabilitation services
HELP HOPE LIVE is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical and related expenses due to cell or organ transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses. Donations to HELP HOPE LIVE can help ease the financial burden of a transplant and allow John to focus on a healthy recovery and a long life with his new liver. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law because of their nonprofit status.
Get Johnny Out of a Johnny Kick-Off Event will be held June 10th from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevens Estate, North Andover, MA. There will be good music, good food, great people , a silent auction, and basket raffles. Cash donations, as well as food, beverages, and auction items are most welcome.
Donations can be made anytime by logging onto helphopelive.org in John Melia‘s name.
John has spent his entire life helping others in need. Those who know and love him hope to do the same for him. We appreciate any help that you can provide to HELP GET JOHNNY OUT OF A JOHNNY!
