I’ve been through a lot in my life, but it hasn’t slowed me down. In 1980, at 15 years old, I was riding a motorcycle and had a terrible accident that left me in the hospital for 16 months. I had a broken neck and multiple compound fractures of my right leg. I later developed a bone infection, and had to fight to keep my leg. I persevered, and a couple years later, I graduated from high school and put myself through college.
I found out I had Hepatitis C in 1995. There was no treatment available until 1999. I went through a year-long trial to rid my body of the virus. It worked while I was on Interferon but unfortunately, 6 months after my treatment ended, the virus returned. I was most likely to have contracted the disease through blood transfusions after my motorcycle accident. My last blood transfusion was in 1982, but the results changed my life forever. Later, the leg that I fought so hard to keep from the original accident in 1980 had to be amputated above the knee in 2014, and my right shoulder had to be reconstructed shortly after. I went through new treatment that had been developed for Hep C and successfully eradicated the virus. Sadly, the damage was done by then but there wouldn’t be any additional damage. I later developed cirrhosis and HCC (Hepatocellular Carcinoma). I also had to have my right hip, the hip of the amputated leg, completely replaced in 2015. In 2016, I underwent a procedure to remove a tumor in my liver. About a month after the procedure, I had a series of strokes, which caused a brain bleed. Amazingly, I recovered without too much loss.
There was finally a turning point in May of 2020. I was referred to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Given all of my health concerns and the affects of the Hep C on my liver, the only option was to go through the liver transplant evaluation process, where they would check all aspects of my body to determine if I was strong enough to handle the transplant. After being evaluated, nothing else was wrong, and the cancer had not metastasized anywhere else in my body. Since, they have been treating the cancer the best way they can to add a little time while I wait for a donor liver. I was placed on the UNOS organ transplant March 17th, 2021. I could be called at any time to report to the hospital for a transplant. I should have started my campaign sooner, but I need help now, as the funds will be needed to assist me with out-of-pocket medical costs associated with my transplant.
I am asking for some financial support. It is really hard for me to ask for this. I was given some options for choosing a fundraising campaign, and I have chosen Help Hope Live for a few reasons. Primarily because I can possibly give back to someone else. If I do not use all of the funds raised, they remain within the Help Hope Live organization to assist others in my same position.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.
Family and friends of Barry Barker are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.
Barry has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
