Michael Sutton

I Need Your Support!

I have been battling end stage liver failure since 2009. I went to Duke Medical Center with the understanding that I would need a liver within 5 years, if not sooner. Up until a month ago, I was doing okay. I followed my doctor’s orders and was able to gain several years on to the estimated time. I thought I would be able to survive without one. I was doing so well that I thought that I had beaten the odds.

In October of 2009, I was working as a CVT in a Cardiac Cath Lab. One day, I felt like I was coming down with the flu, so I went to the ER. While there, they did a urinalysis and found blood in my urine. Thinking it was a kidney stone, they did a CT. That’s when I learned that I had Cirrhosis. I immediately sought the advice of a Liver Doctor and I went from there.

This disease took me from my career, and eventually cost me my marriage. Now, things have gotten much worse. My liver is starting to fail all together. The only thing that will save my life is a new liver. Since I am now disabled and drawing SSAD income, there is not much left to pay my expenses. I do have Medicare, but I also have a $6,700 out of pocket expense to pay. I also have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of my life. These drugs are extremely expensive, but necessary. After the surgery, I will have to relocate to Durham for 4-6 weeks. I have to be within one hour of Duke during that time for medication adjustments and in case my new liver starts to reject. Therefore, I will have to pay rent where I live now in addition to the rent I will have to pay at the location where I will stay for 4-6 weeks. These amounts add up quickly and I need your help.

Expenses are piling up. Donations to Help Hope Live can ease the financial burden of a transplant and allow me to focus on a healthy recovery. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be used to offset medical expenses as part of the Help Hope Live South-Atlantic Transplant Fund.

Thank you so much for your support!