Our mom is only 65, and she is fighting every single day to stay alive long enough to receive a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease in 2019, and this past year has taken more from her than any of us were prepared for. Her strength amazes us, but her body is tired.

If you know our mom, you know she has spent her life taking care of her family. After our dad passed away suddenly in 2018, her world changed in an instant. She lost the love of her life and the primary income they relied on, but she refused to let her grief stop her. She tightened every corner of her budget. She made quiet sacrifices. She figured out how to survive on a fixed income. She has been doing that for seven long years.

If you know our mom in person, you probably have at least one funny story about her. As the youngest of nine surviving siblings, she had “main character energy” long before anyone had a name for it. She has always been loud, warm, funny, and unforgettable.

What many people do not know is how big her heart is, because she has never wanted credit for that part of herself. Even in years when money was tight, she quietly set aside a little from every paycheck so she could make Christmas magical for everyone she loved. She would go even further, picking out thoughtful gifts, wrapping them beautifully, and then delivering them to struggling families in the area where she grew up. Sometimes children would ask if they could open a gift right away, and she loved seeing the sparkle in their eyes. There were no social media posts, no recognition, and no applause. She just wanted to give to others when she could.

Before the military halted the program, she also signed our family up every year to host Thanksgiving for young service members who could not go home for the holidays. Many of them had never been away from home before. Giving them a warm meal and a sense of family brought her so much joy.

She loved being an involved grandmother more than anything. When our children were babies, she stepped in and cared for them. It brought her so much joy, and created deep, lifelong connections between her and her grandbabies. Losing her ability to be hands-on with her younger grandchildren (my three children) because of her illness has broken her heart. She wants so badly to go to their soccer games, hold them, play with them, and simply be present. Watching her body steal those moments has been devastating.

Now she finally has a chance at a real future again. A chance to feel human again. A chance to get her life back.

What Comes Next

A liver transplant means a 6 to 7 hour major surgery, followed by a hospital stay and 4 to 6 weeks living in Jacksonville for constant monitoring at Mayo Clinic. She is required to have a full-time caregiver during this entire time. Shannon has been selected to be with her every day to make sure she is safe and supported.

Why We Are Asking for Help

Even with Medicare, the out-of-pocket costs are overwhelming. She will need temporary housing in Jacksonville for a minimum of 4-6 weeks, along with food, transportation, and basic living expenses while she recovers. Her health has declined to the point where she cannot make ends meet the way she once did. We have been preparing to sell her house, but that cannot be completed until after her transplant.

How Donations Will Be Used

Every dollar will go toward temporary housing, daily living expenses, and essential support during her recovery, allowing her to focus on healing and giving her the best possible chance at a second life.

We are asking for help because she deserves the chance to keep living, to enjoy her grandchildren again, and to hope for a future that looks brighter than today.

If you can give, thank you. If you can share, thank you. Your support brings her closer to a new liver and a second chance at life.