A new liver for Kari

Kari is a dear friend and one of the sweetest people I have ever met and a mom to the cutest little boy I know.  It has been so difficult to watch her cope with this rare disease that will take her life if she doesn't get a liver transplant soon.  Kari has family who want to donate their liver, however, the only place that the surgery can be performed is in India.   Kari and her family desperately need your help in order to pay for the expenses of the surgery and trip, including: -see below




Cont... Costs Include:
Travel to India 
Accomodations Pre and Post Transplant (they will need to be in India for at least 2 months)
Hospital Admit
Surgery Fee
Mortgage and bills while away
Medications not covered by insurance Pre and Post Op
Kari and her her family are hoping her surgery will be completed within the next three months (Spring 2017)

Here is Kari's story in her own words:

"In 2000, when I was 16 years old I became very ill and after spending a month in the hospital was eventually diagnosed with a rare liver disease - Autoimmune Hepatitis. It causes my own immune system to attack and destroy my liver cells. No one knows exactly what causes this disease, but it isn't caused by anything I have done. Over the last 17 years since my diagnosis, my disease has been slowed down somewhat by treatments and medications, but not enough to hold off cirrhosis and liver failure.

Despite my illness, I have had a wonderful life. I have been happily married for 11 years to my husband Kyle. In 2011 we were so excited to have a beautiful, healthy boy we named Luke.

In June of 2015 I was assessed by a Transplant Committee, who decided that I had about five years left to live unless I receive a liver transplant. We knew I was ill and that a transplant might be a possibility at some point in the future, but we were still shocked to find out that my time left was so short and that I needed a transplant very soon. At that time, I was 31 years old and our boy was 3. We were devastated.

I love my life and I feel like I absolutely have so much to live for. While the thought of dying young makes me incredibly sad, what truly breaks my heart is the pain my little boy will experience if he loses his mom at such a young age. I can't even think about it without tears flowing. He is only five years old. He is so sweet, so kind, so loving, so thoughtful and I can't bear to think how his childhood will change and his innocence will be shattered if I die. I so wanted to be a mother, and am so grateful that I am, but I know my job isn't done. I want so badly to be there for my son as he grows up. I want to be there to hold him and wipe away his tears when he has hard days, to teach him all that life has taught me and to cheer him on through all his accomplishments, big and small. He has an amazing dad, loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends, but I really don't think any of those can replace a mother. I am determined to do everything in my power to fight to live, so that my sweet boy can be spared the pain of losing his mom.

I am so incredibly grateful that both my amazing younger brother and my beautiful, loving cousin have volunteered to be my live liver-donor. Currently they are both undergoing tests to see who is the best match. I am so thankful I have these two amazing people in my life, those who love me enough to be willing to go through a major surgery and give me a piece of themselves in order to save my life. It's incredible.

For my liver transplant, I am seeking the best treatment possible, while still holding true to my personal conscience and  beliefs. Unfortunately, this kind of treatment is unavailable here in Canada. We have researched and looked into all the possible countries that would be able to help us, and have decided on India. We have found a transplant team and surgeon in Delhi who is well trained and very experienced.

When friends and family first started mentioning that they wanted to help us with the costs of our travel and surgery in India, my husband and I felt very uncomfortable. It seemed like our problem to deal with and we know everyone else is facing problems of their own. When we said how we felt hesitant and even guilty accepting help, so many friends told us that they wished there was a way they could make my health problems go away, but since they can't, helping us financially was at least something they were able to do. So Kyle and I are  extremely grateful that there are those who want to contribute. We know that even small amounts add up. "Thank you" doesn't sound like enough, but I don't know how else to express how incredibly grateful we are for any help given.

Thank you so very, very much!

From the bottom of our hearts, much love - Kari, Kyle and Luke McKenzie"
Kari Gratias(maiden name)