Donald Allen Erven

Family and friends of Donald Erven are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a transplant. Donald has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

Here is Our Story

Hello, I am Don a 64 year old Husband of 40 years, Father and Papa with Cirrhosis and Stage 3 HCC Liver Cancer. In 2024 I was told I have approximately 3 yrs. My entire life I’ve dealt with a rare liver disease called Von Gerkis Disease where my liver doesn’t break down and store Glucose properly. Up until now I have learned to cope. My sister and I both were born with this rare disease and neither one of us were expected to come home from the hospital at birth. But through the grace of God we both fought thru the first 5 years of our lives. Both of us were in and out of the hospital many, many times. This meant no normal gym classes and a pot belly throughout our school years.

I thought we both outgrew the disease until we got the news that my sister in 2001 was given 3 days to live because they found out she had liver cirrhosis and was admitted into the hospital with very high ammonia levels. When we got to Texas and walked into her room, she was as yellow as anyone could be. But like we were taught from our parents and grandparents, She said “I Put in God’s hands and what will be will be”. Putting herself aside, as she always did, she had one wish and that was for my brother and I to take her daughters to dinner, so we did. As we prayed for her at dinner we got the call within 5 minutes of praying that they had a deceased liver donor and she was going in for immediate Emergency Surgery. Through Gods Miracles once again she pulled through and lived until 2022 in which she passed from COPD on my 60th Birthday.

If I have learned one thing in life it is : “ It is what it is and I have put it in God’s Hands”

My faith in God and Support from my Close friends and family have gotten me this far, without them I would be lost. By me putting my faith in God another Miracle has come forward and that is the Gracious Courage of my daughter coming forward and wanting to donate a part of her liver to me. After many months of testing and discipline Through the Grace of God once more another “Miracle,” she is a perfect match for me. We have the transplant scheduled for September and we will keep everyone posted on the outcome. This is why we are asking for your support and greatly appreciate any and all donations.

Sincerely Don and Sara Erven