Stuck in South Korea with Cirrhosis

My name is Jerry a 52 year old English teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. I’ve lived here pretty 

much full time since 2008. I want you to know that I’m neither a drinker or IV drug user (these 

are the two most common causes of liver cirrhosis).

I felt more or less fine until one day in August of this year, while seeking treatment for an 

injured knee, the doctor noticed that my eyes and skin were yellow. He told me to get in a taxi 

and go to the nearest major university hospital. My partner rushed to be with me and, 

together, we spent three nights and days in SNU’s (Seoul National University) emergency room. 

After multiple tests, they said that I appeared to have cirrhosis of the liver. They said I needed 

to be admitted to the hospital, but they had no rooms available. So, they sent me by ambulance 

to another hospital where they had a room for me. There were many tests and ct scans and at 

least one MRI. The days blur together.

The doctors were perplexed over how I had cirrhosis even though I was a non-drinker and nondrug user. The only thing they could come up with was that it’s an extremely rare form of 

autoimmune disorder where the bodies white blood cells suddenly, and for no apparent 

reason, attack the liver. 

I was released from the hospital after two weeks. Since then, I haven’t been able to hold a job 

because of swings in my energy levels and emotions. I can be fine one day and, the next, I’m 

almost too exhausted to move. I also have multiple doctor’s appointments each week and have 

to get frequent blood transfusions (My anemia one of the side effects of the cirrhosis and it’s a 

necessary thing). No employer will hire me until my health improves and I’m not eligible for any 

sort of public assistance since I don’t hold Korean citizenship.

The good news is that I’m quite high on the South Korean transplant waiting list. The bad news 

is that I have to make a copay of around $20,000 for the surgery. Now believe me, that’s a 

bargain. If I were in the US with no insurance, the surgery could top $500,000. 

I really hope you’ll help me out. Even a few dollars can help.