Janie Whitlock

When Janie was diagnosed in 1985, at age 22, with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, she was told she would eventually need a liver transplant. Her PSC was mostly asymptomatic until 2013 when she had to spend January in the hospital due to acute internal bleeding and a failing liver.

Due to the slow progression of the disease Janie had the opportunity to pursue her graduate education, and to enjoy a short career in film, and a longer career as a property manager. Following that, for ten years, she lived on a farm in the rolling hills of Tennessee, and she learned to grow food and to preserve and can fruits and vegetables. Her lime curd and cherry-orange marmalade are family favorites. Always a writer by inclination, she wrote for a local magazine whose primary goal was to promote food sustainability and local farming She has always cherished and nurtured the ties of family, arranging family reunions and weddings, and offering guidance and support to younger family members.

Due to her increasingly disabling condition, Janie has relocated to Florida where she has the support of friends and family during the wait-time for a new liver. She continues, as always, to be the glue that holds a community of people together, and is always ready with wit and wisdom and a new recipe.

Florida has been good for her health. Mayo Transplant Center in Jacksonville is following her case, and with the care of local doctors, she is living as actively as she is able during that period of time that all transplant patients refer to, when “you have to get sicker before you get better.” During that time, she, her family, and friends are asking for your financial donation to help us prepare for the large medical expenses incurred during the transplant period. We appreciate whatever you can do to help us get Janie through to a new period of health in her life.

Although Janie has some insurance coverage, the expense for a liver transplant surgery, housing, transportation, and medicines far exceeds the covered amounts. We are working with HelpHopeLive, a non-profit organization which ensures proper handling of donated funds.

PS: Lisa and I wrote a book! It’s on Amazon and Kindle!

Check it out – Thanks, Janie