Brian's Road To A Transplant

Hi Everyone! This is Nikki, Donna's sister and (kind of) Brian's too. Though no one ever wants to ask for help - there are times in our lives where we have to and this is one of them. Donna and I have talked about doing this fundraiser a lot and I've reminded her of the close knit community and group of family & friends that surround both her and Brian, with many wanting to help, but not knowing what to do. Now that there is a definite path ahead & they are aware of the enormous amount of time that will be devoted to Brian's surgery & recovery, we felt it was time to reach out and ask for that help.

As many of you may be aware, Brian has been battling liver disease/failure over the last year. As many people know, a long-term illness, especially an organ failure, comes with not only the symptoms and issues of the disease itself, but also the toll on your family, friends, and finances. Whether it is the numerous doctor appointments, trips to Green Bay & Milwaukee, hours on the phone with doctors, rehab, everyday life, and the inability to work.

Brian has not been able to work for almost a year & could potentially be unable to work for another year. Donna, as his primary caretaker and significant other has of course picked up the bulk of the financial burden. Unfortunately, as his primary caretaker she has also had to take considerable amounts of time off work because of the numerous medical obligations; appointments, lab work, therapy, and phone calls & extended stays in Milwaukee. As devasting as the disease is itself, to have to add the worry of the financial burden is overwhelming.

On Monday, November 13th, Brian was admitted to Aurora St. Lukes Hospital in Milwaukee because his condition is dire. Today, Friday, November 17th he has been placed on the Transplant list!! HURRAY!! Now we sit, wait, and pray. His condition is also affecting the other organs in his body, and he needs to be at his best to get forward with the Transplant. He will remain in the hospital until a Liver is found and a Transplant surgery is done. He and Donna will also have to stay down in Milwaukee up to a month after the surgery for weekly tests and therapy.

Everyone has been so gracious in their concern and offers of help. Right now, for both Brian and Donna, we are asking for a little more help. To not have either of them worry about paying the mortgage or monthly bills, covering the expenses of an extended stays in Milwaukee, and both of their lost wages, we hope that through the generosity of their friends and family they can get through this next stage with one less worry.

Thank you to everyone, whether you can help or not, for spreading the word and expressing your concern and your prayers – it means a lot to Brian and Donna and both of their families. If you do not want or can’t donate through this GoFundMe Me page and would rather donate with cash, please give it to either Donna or our Mom, Diana and she will get it deposited where it needs to go. Please, also include your name on an envelope so they can both thank you when Brian is home and recovering. If you prefer to donate anonymously that is OK also and let us, say Thank you now for your help.

If anyone has any questions, concerns, or needs help with the link, please reach out to me through this site and I will be more than happy to help. Though Donna does appreciate all the calls and text messages, with everything happening at this time, it can be a little overwhelming so please do not be offended if you do not hear back from her right away. Donna and Brian will obviously see any of your wishes and prayers posted on this page and I’m sure it will be comforting to them to know so many people care. Updates will be posted here as things progress.

"Some of us are so self-reliant that we won't ask for help from our family members or close friends. You can't do it all, all the time, by yourself." - Yasmeen Abdur-Rahman