In July 2024, I was sitting in my office when my mom called to tell me that my brother, Brendan, had been diagnosed with stage 4 liver disease.

I didn't believe her.

How could my 40-year-old brother, who had never had a sip of alcohol in his life and hadn't experienced any symptoms, suddenly have stage 4 liver disease?

But it was true. And just like that, Brendan's life changed.

The following months brought countless tests, appointments, and unanswered questions. Thankfully, his amazing doctors found medications that kept him stable. Life looked a little different, but he was doing well, and we were hopeful things would stay that way.

Then, this past August, everything changed.

Brendan's health took a drastic turn. New symptoms appeared, and within just a few weeks, he was in and out of the hospital, spending several days there each time. The treatments that had kept him stable were no longer enough, and we were suddenly facing a reality we'd hoped was still a long way off.

Brendan needs a liver transplant.

Since the liver can regenerate, I was hopeful I could be his living donor and give him part of my liver. In my mind, I'd get tested, confirm I was a match, we'd schedule the surgery, and get him on the road to recovery and feeling better.

If only it were that easy.

Because of multiple factors, I cannot be his donor and Brendan needs a full liver from a deceased donor.

So now, we wait. And waiting is anything but easy.

It means not knowing when that life-saving call will come, while enduring more appointments, hospital stays, medications, and days when simply feeling okay is a challenge. His health has declined to the point that he can't safely be alone, so our parents and I have been taking turns traveling to Wisconsin to care for him.

If you know Brendan, you know he's a pretty private guy. He's happiest with the people and things he loves - video games, comics, a good board game, and time with those closest to him. He's not someone who asks for much, but he has a huge heart and loves deeply. And right now, he could really use some of that love coming back his way.

Through all of this, life doesn't stop. The bills don't stop.

Two years of mounting expenses - things like insurance premiums and medical bills to everyday living costs, time away from work, and travel for appointments and family members coming to help care for him - have created a growing financial burden. And the transplant hasn't even happened yet. When that call comes, Brendan will face even more expenses and a long road to recovery.

I wish more than anything that I could take this away from him. That I could make him feel better, give him the liver he needs, or somehow make this easier.

I can't. But I can try to take one thing off his plate.

And that's why I'm asking for your help.

I've created this GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden on Brendan as he waits for his transplant and recovers afterward.

Brendan would never be the one to ask for help, but he shouldn't have to worry about how he'll keep up with mounting expenses while fighting to get his health and his life back.

Please consider making a donation to help Brendan through this. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ease the financial strain and allow him to focus on what matters most: getting better. And if you can't donate, sharing his story can make a real difference, too.

We're holding on to hope that the call comes soon, that Brendan gets his new liver, and that he can finally begin the road to recovery.

Until then, we're doing everything we can to help him get there.

Thank you ❤️