As many of you may know my husband, Johnny, is in need of a liver transplant. John worked as an X-ray technologist with a specialty in cardiovascular and special procedures at Banner Good Samaritan for 36 years. He was instrumental with the growth of the Special Procedures Department and managed it during his tenure there. He transferred to Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in 1992 and finished his career in the Cardiac Cath Lab at Thunderbird.
Years ago we took care of patients and the concerns about blood transmitted diseases were unheard of, therefore, we did not protect ourselves as we should have. Through the years, “Universal Precautions” were instituted. To simplify, this basically required medical workers in radiology department to wear gloves, masks and gowns as indicated, to protect the employees and patients alike, of the transfer of blood and airborne diseases.
Sadly enough, John was diagnosed with Hep C, which is a blood transferred disease. The result is malignant liver lesions which are being treated by chemo therapy. John?s only chance for survival and a cure is a full liver transplant.
This has started” Johnny’s Journey” toward a transplant. He is not a candidate for a partial liver, which would have been more readily available with family members ready, willing, and able to donate to husband and/or father. John completed numerous pre-transplant tests and was put on the transplant list on September 14, 2012 at Banner Samaritan Transplant Center.
Our transplant coordinator highly recommended that we begin fundraising and we are beginning with baby steps. We have established a fundraising campaign with HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF) a nonprofit that has been assisting the transplant community for over 30 years. All donations are tax deductible and will be held by HelpHOPELive in the Southwest Liver Transplant Fund, and are administered for transplant-related expenses only. Tax deductible contributions can be made to:
Make check payable to:
HelpHOPELive
Note in memo section:
John Monaco
Send to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
For credit card contributions, please call 800-642-8399 or select the DONATE NOW button.
The journey is just beginning, for us in an uncharted territory. We are scared and nervous, but very hopeful. We have worked all our lives to enjoy each other in retirement, and now we have one last hurdle to overcome. We thank our family and friends for their support and for always being there for us.
Sincerely,
Janine Monaco
