In Memoriam - James Karrer

In loving memory of James, Help Hope Live will continue to accept charitable donations to help defray uninsured costs that were incurred. James and his family had chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because the nonprofit organization provides both tax-deductibility to the full extent allowed by law and fiscal accountability to contributors. Donors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically related and funeral expenses.  

To make a kind contribution to James’s memorial fundraising campaign, select the “Give” button on this page or call 800.642.8399.  

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800-642-8399.  

In loving care and remembrance, thank you for your support.  

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Please read Jimmy Karrer’s story below written by Joan Karrer, Jimmy’s mother.

It started when Jimmy was a freshman in high school. We had already been dealing with his Crohn’s diagnosis, but it seemed like the doctors could not get it under control. The medical team suggested that Jimmy have a liver biopsy, and this confirmed that Jiimmy had a rare autoimmune liver disease called PSC ( Primary sclerosing cholangitis). At the time of this diagnosis Jimmy had already developed scarring on the liver and narrowing of the bile ductwork. We were referred to Children’s Mercy at this point and were told that there was really no treatment or cure for this disease. Children’s Mercy was able to help us manage his disease through medication and ERCP’s (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) to widen the bile ducts, but this would only buy time. Even with management, Jimmy was still experiencing cycles of nausea, tiredness, and not being able to eat. We did our best to try to keep his high school experience as normal as possible. Jimmy graduated from high school in 2020; we had one more almost normal year. From that point on the disease took a big jump. Jimmy would have more days where he was either too sick or too tired to work at his place of employment. He would do well, but then would get too sick and be let go for missing too many days. His symptoms continued to get worse and have become more frequent. Last summer, the PSC reached the final stage. Jimmy has been hospitalized 10 times in the past 12 months and will need a liver transplant and a possible kidney transplant. He attends appointments with multiple doctors almost on a weekly basis. Sometimes his appointments consist of infusions and IV’s. Most days Jimmy does not feel well and compares to how he feels each day to having the flu. Jimmy used to be a happy, energetic little boy who loved being outside on his bike, camping, skating around on the ice and playing hockey. He enjoyed school up until he started not feeling well. Jimmy is currently unable to work due to his heath condition. He deals with aches and pains daily, and no longer has an appetite and no longer enjoys eating. It has been difficult to watch his slow slide over the last 6 years. Jimmy’s hope is to be able to work and go to school for computer science or electrical engineering. He would like everything to be more normal and feel normal to be able to do things he loves again, like getting back in shape to be able to play ice hockey. There is hope. Most PSC patients (about 67%) are disease free post-transplant. We are hoping and praying that Jimmy is moved to the transplant list soon. This process takes us to Denver every few months for follow up appointments and tests. Insurance helps but does not cover all of the costs. We have filled our insurance deductible of $4000 each year for the last 6 years. The carryover from making these medical payments builds up over time. We have done our best to cover the costs. Medical insurance will help some, but Jimmy will need to stay in Denver for 3 months post-transplant when that time comes. There are still the hidden costs for care such as gas and mileage for trips to the doctors, medications, procedures, tests, hotel expenses, time off work for Jimmy’s parents, etc. Most likely Jimmy will fill his insurance deductible every year for the rest of his life. If you are able please make a contribution to his fund in your honor. All of your donations will be available to Jimmy for expenses related to his medical care. Thank you so much for your assistance and prayers as we continue on this journey. Family and friends of Jimmy Karrer are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation. Jimmy 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.

Thank you, The Karrer Family

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

Thanks for the support!