Live Liver Donor recovery fund
Don protégé
Lupe Garcia Liver Transplant & Michelle Wilson Liver Donor
A note from Hilda Garcia (Lupe's wife):
A little bit about Lupe.
My husband is a man of many words and laughter, a man of strong faith and humility. Lupe has lived a "colorful" life in his 47 years to say the least. And may he live at least another 30 years before he goes home. He grew up working in the fields in San Jose (when they had fields) along with many relatives starting at a very young age to help put food on the table. Unfortunately, Lupe also grew up surrounded by all-consuming violence and drugs including in his own home early on, which became his way of life. Despite the dark past, God was always nudging his spirit through situations and people.
During these hard times, Lupe still showed a big heart. One example was constructing an extensive wheelchair lifting system (free of charge) to help an elderly friend to be able to move around in her home and he visited her often to be sure she was OK. Marie was a fierce little lady who would preach and tell Lupe that the God she serves would not let her be afraid of him. She knew someday Lupe would bow down. Though Marie had since passed, she would have been proud. Countless others have witnessed what an all-powerful God can do to transform one from destructive addiction to a productive life. I am reminded of the verse that God gives (a crown of) beauty from ashes.
A major part of the beauty I see is his gift of counsel/encouragement to the hurting, from co-worker to complete stranger. And hand-in-hand, Lupe freely shares his faith in Christ of what He has done in his life. I don't think he knew this has been his ministry for many years. Makes me teary-eyed to see how far he has come. Lupe is living for Jesus. As a result, Lupe was blessed with the desires of his heart, including having a family and the chance to be a loving father to our adorable 5 year old daughter. Lupe allows our little girl to be his hair stylist, including putting all her barrettes in her dad's hair, as well as allowing all kinds of other indignities done to him because he loves her so much. She has adopted a bit of her dad's crazy sense of humor and needless to say, is a bit spoiled.
We found out early in 2015 that Lupe's past has caught up with him. Diagnosed with advanced liver cancer, Lupe's hepatologist at UCSF says that the best chance for Lupe to live is to have a total liver transplant. However, because of the number and size of the tumors, he would only qualify for a defective liver if he was on the national waiting list - if he even made it that far. Lupe did "beat the odds" and was finally listed on July 10. The doctor did say to aggressively look for a live donor from the beginning because of his circumstances and the long line of recipients waiting. Well, it didn't take long. A few relatives/friends wanted to donate but did not qualify. Our friend Michelle took the bull by the horns so to speak to become Lupe's live donor. That is just pure undaunted grace.
[A tidbit on Michelle. I met Michelle and knew of her at Westgate Church , and we became friends when we both served in a ministry together called Kids Club, approximately 7 years ago. I've always known Michelle to have a heart after God's own even then]
We are happy to announce that Michelle has passed all extensive donor testing. Though Lupe is still having routine scans, we are currently awaiting to be scheduled for the transplant surgery. Now we continue to ask for your prayers for Lupe and Michelle to stay strong and healthy in spirit, mind & body for a successful surgery and speedy recovery period.
And if you are able to, we also ask you help by donating to the pay pal fund or gofundme account to help Michelle (& also Lupe) during the time she cannot work and is recovering. Thank you for helping, whatever you can do. May God bless you for your kindness.
If you would like to follow our Lupe and Michelle's story, please check out:
Lupe-Garcia-Liver-Transplant-Michelle-Wilson-Liver-Donor-Support-Page
A note from Hilda Garcia (Lupe's wife):
A little bit about Lupe.
My husband is a man of many words and laughter, a man of strong faith and humility. Lupe has lived a "colorful" life in his 47 years to say the least. And may he live at least another 30 years before he goes home. He grew up working in the fields in San Jose (when they had fields) along with many relatives starting at a very young age to help put food on the table. Unfortunately, Lupe also grew up surrounded by all-consuming violence and drugs including in his own home early on, which became his way of life. Despite the dark past, God was always nudging his spirit through situations and people.
During these hard times, Lupe still showed a big heart. One example was constructing an extensive wheelchair lifting system (free of charge) to help an elderly friend to be able to move around in her home and he visited her often to be sure she was OK. Marie was a fierce little lady who would preach and tell Lupe that the God she serves would not let her be afraid of him. She knew someday Lupe would bow down. Though Marie had since passed, she would have been proud. Countless others have witnessed what an all-powerful God can do to transform one from destructive addiction to a productive life. I am reminded of the verse that God gives (a crown of) beauty from ashes.
A major part of the beauty I see is his gift of counsel/encouragement to the hurting, from co-worker to complete stranger. And hand-in-hand, Lupe freely shares his faith in Christ of what He has done in his life. I don't think he knew this has been his ministry for many years. Makes me teary-eyed to see how far he has come. Lupe is living for Jesus. As a result, Lupe was blessed with the desires of his heart, including having a family and the chance to be a loving father to our adorable 5 year old daughter. Lupe allows our little girl to be his hair stylist, including putting all her barrettes in her dad's hair, as well as allowing all kinds of other indignities done to him because he loves her so much. She has adopted a bit of her dad's crazy sense of humor and needless to say, is a bit spoiled.
We found out early in 2015 that Lupe's past has caught up with him. Diagnosed with advanced liver cancer, Lupe's hepatologist at UCSF says that the best chance for Lupe to live is to have a total liver transplant. However, because of the number and size of the tumors, he would only qualify for a defective liver if he was on the national waiting list - if he even made it that far. Lupe did "beat the odds" and was finally listed on July 10. The doctor did say to aggressively look for a live donor from the beginning because of his circumstances and the long line of recipients waiting. Well, it didn't take long. A few relatives/friends wanted to donate but did not qualify. Our friend Michelle took the bull by the horns so to speak to become Lupe's live donor. That is just pure undaunted grace.
[A tidbit on Michelle. I met Michelle and knew of her at Westgate Church , and we became friends when we both served in a ministry together called Kids Club, approximately 7 years ago. I've always known Michelle to have a heart after God's own even then]
We are happy to announce that Michelle has passed all extensive donor testing. Though Lupe is still having routine scans, we are currently awaiting to be scheduled for the transplant surgery. Now we continue to ask for your prayers for Lupe and Michelle to stay strong and healthy in spirit, mind & body for a successful surgery and speedy recovery period.
And if you are able to, we also ask you help by donating to the pay pal fund or gofundme account to help Michelle (& also Lupe) during the time she cannot work and is recovering. Thank you for helping, whatever you can do. May God bless you for your kindness.
If you would like to follow our Lupe and Michelle's story, please check out:
Lupe-Garcia-Liver-Transplant-Michelle-Wilson-Liver-Donor-Support-Page
Organisateur
Michelle E. Wilson
Organisateur
Saratoga, CA
