Recovery for Dana organized by family & friends

Dana DeLorenzo-Whitehead, 37, is an incredible friend, mother, daughter, sister, and cousin. She is a mother of 4 beautiful children, aged 12, 10, 7 and 6.  To say she has an infectious personality, love for life and desire to help those around her would be a wild understatement. 

For the past 8 months or so, Dana has suffered from Stage 4 Cirrhosis of the liver, and up until January was surviving by medications alone. On the morning of January 9th, she received the call of her dreams, letting her know that a deceased donor with a liver match was found, as her Cirrhosis was too advanced to accept a living donation. It was near the end, as Stage 4 liver prognosis usually comes with only months to survive, even with medications. Daily suffering, while trying to raise her children, became her normal. 

On January 10th, Dana was to receive her second chance at life, until the universe played a cruel trick on her. After being placed under anesthesia and completely opened up in preparation for her new life, it was decided by surgeons that the donor liver was unable to be transplanted. She remained unclosed and under anesthesia and subsequently placed at the top of the national donor list. Time was of the essence. During this time, Dana experienced two cardiac arrests while unconscious. A few days later a new liver was found and flown to New York Presbyterian Hospital immediately. After transplanting this liver, she then remained open due to swelling, and placed in an anesthesia induced coma for ten days, followed by three Weeks in the surgical ICU, and a week on the recovery floor. 

See, Dana is a fighter, and refused to give up. She had to work hard to walk again due to severe muscle loss, and speak again due due her intubation.  This took four weeks to regain.  Walking still proves to be a difficulty for her, but her big mouth is back!

With prayers coming from (literally) around the world, I am beyond thrilled to say that she recently returned home to her children, who hadn’t seen her while hospitalized. Still, Dana has an extremely tough road ahead of her, as well as a life time of medications to keep her new liver heathy and happy. She is a warrior, and refuses to let this obstacle be anything more than just a bump in the road. She is determined to get back to her old self so she can help others going through similar situations. 

As could be imagined, this has been a financial drain, as a day in the ICU alone is several thousands of dollars. Her inability to work while ill, and now while recovering, will make it difficult for her to cover these medical bills as well as financially care for her children. If you are able to help, please consider helping her get through this extremely challenging time in her life by donating. 

Thank you, in advance, for your continued prayers, thoughts and help at this difficult time.