Karen Franklin

My name is Karen Franklin. This is the story of why I’m here.

I have been fighting this disease with my liver since I was 24 yrs old and pregnant with my 3rd child. Over the course of several years and in and out of the hospital in Boston, working with a liver specialist we learned I was born with deformed bile ducts. This has caused severe scarring on my liver, which has caused severe infections and a lot of pain. I spend days to sometimes weeks in the hospital treating it with antibiotics and a lot of pain medication. Until Two years ago I had to have a biliary tube placed in my abdomen due to the fact that my liver cannot take anymore abuse. I have to have the tube changed every six weeks, but occasionally have a blockage causing me to get a tube redone much sooner. The tube is only meant to last a few months, it is not a permanent solution. Last year, there were other options discussed, it was determined that I could have a hepatic lobectomy, so I was preparing for this surgery throughout the year. However, In June of this year (2019), during the start of the procedure it was discovered that the surgery would be too risky to perform. My liver needed too much removed and I would not survive the surgery. So back to the drawing board they went.

After more tests and meetings, the conclusion was this: I needed a full liver transplant in order to correct my issues.
A new liver will give me new bile ducts and the problems I’ve had all my life will finally be over. But a new set of problems will begin. The transplant itself and lifelong medications are very costly. I am seeking financial assistance with the start of my transplant and post medicines.

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

Karen 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!