James Pirtle

Jim has lived a life of adventure, enduring life’s hardships with humor.

Jim’s parents struggled with their own demons of drugs and alcohol, often neglecting his simple needs when he was a child. He ran away from home at age 15, choosing to fend for himself on the city streets instead of trying to survive their bad choices at home.

As an adult, he has been committed to his family and has helped to create a loving and joyful home for his partner, Tanja, of 23 years, and their two daughters, Summer and Sayla, and grandson, August. The past 10 years have been the most trying as he has struggled with his mounting health issues. He learned he had Hepatitis C which the doctors speculated he contracted as a teenager while being homeless. Hep C quietly destroyed his liver until the outward symptoms portrayed its existence. Since learning about his Hep C he has also come to terms with his alcoholism and is now living a clean and sober life.

At age 46, he is now enjoying his family, garden, and woodworking as much as his health will permit. He is now in end-stage liver and kidney disease, and he is waiting for a new liver and kidney. Jim remains hopeful because he is still young and has much life left to live.

Jim has many committed family and friends because he is a kind and generous soul. Jim is the first to pull over and help a stranded motorist and he is always looking for ways he can help his friends and family. He is a kind person who would share his final meal with someone who is hungry, even if there is nothing left for him to eat. He would walk barefoot if it meant that someone in need had shoes to wear.

His kindness and generosity are an inspiration to all who know him, and his joy and laughter help brighten the world. Jim now needs some of your kindness to help him cover the substantial cost of living in Seattle for 6 weeks when he is blessed with a new liver and kidney.

Thank you for your generous support and help for this deserving man as he fights for his new life beyond the transplant.

Family and friends of Jim Pirtle are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

Jim 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.

Thank you for your support!