Our family is humbled and grateful for the opportunity we have to start this fundraiser for our brother, Weston Ainge (32 years old). Weston is a hard-working husband, a loyal friend, and the best father in the world to his 2 year old daughter, Lucy.
About a month ago in August 2022, Weston started looking a little yellow. Due to concern from his wife, he headed to the doctor’s office to get checked out and was in the emergency room later that same day. After spending several days in the ICU due to low sodium, Weston was discharged and returned home. Our family didn’t have any answers yet, but it was clear something wasn’t quite right. The following week was filled with doctor appointments and blood tests. Within two weeks after his initial stay in the ICU, Weston had to return to the ER for extremely low blood pressure, around 80/40. They admitted him as soon as he arrived and we soon learned that he was experiencing acute liver failure, we also learned that Weston’s kidneys had entered a state of failure. Based on Weston’s lab reports, doctors told our family that Weston had an 85% mortality rate in the next 3 months, and that he likely only had a few short weeks left to live. We pleaded and advocated to get Weston onto a transplant list, but were told he would have to wait 6-12 months before he would be considered. We began to discuss end-of-life scenarios and explored hospice options to make the most out of the little time we were told we had left.
This was an extremely dark period of time for our family, but luckily a miracle happened. Thanks to the advocacy of the amazing team of doctors we were working with, Weston was moved to the University of Utah hospital where he was accepted onto their transplant list! He is getting a second chance! Our family is overjoyed by the knowledge that Weston can receive a new liver and get his life back, but there is a new challenge facing Weston and the Ainge family…Medical bills and other expenses.
Weston has currently been in the hospital for over a month in the intensive care unit, and has been unable to work. His wife has also taken FMLA which is unpaid time off in order to be by Weston’s side throughout this process. Liver transplants are one of the most expensive surgeries you can have, and for the rest of his life Weston will need to take medication so his body will not reject this new liver. These medications cost about $5,000 per month.
Our family is beyond grateful for the opportunity Weston has to receive an organ transplant, and we know one miracle has already happened. Now we are asking for help from our community. We are asking anyone who is able and willing to donate to this fundraiser for Weston to take some pressure off of the financial burden that this experience has caused.
Family and friends of Weston Ainge are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund medical expenses associated with transplantation that are not covered by insurance.
Weston 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 or contact Adam Ainge at 801.473.5370
Thank you for your support!
