HELP BRETT, A BRAND NEW FATHER FIGHTING 4 HIS LIFE

Gordon Barnes III is organizing this fundraiser.

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HELP FOR BRETT, A BRAND NEW FATHER FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE

OVERVIEW

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we tell you that the day we have been dreading has arrived. Our beloved Brett Barnes went to the ER on Friday, June 28, has been in the hospital ever since, and will never leave unless there is dramatic intervention. His liver and kidneys are failing, and there is already such a buildup of fluid in his abdomen and legs that he’s needed multiple paracentesis procedures which have drained nearly a gallon each time. Brett needs a liver to survive, and for that the costs are enormous, which is why we’re asking for your help.

THE ORIGINAL DIAGNOSIS

Ten years ago, he was diagnosed with an awful disease called PSC-primary sclerosing cholangitis. PSC is a rare auto-immune disease that attacks the bile ducts to your liver, and there is no cure. The only way to add years to his life is to get a liver transplant.

To say that the last ten years have been anything less than frustrating would be a lie. They would give a heavy drinker with cirrhosis of the liver priority over Brett, because his liver “wasn’t bad enough” yet. He’s had to deal with the constant pain of a malfunctioning liver, and it has been painfully devastating for those close to him. His own doctor cried when he first diagnosed Brett, because he knew the pain that Brett would have to endure.

BRETT’S RETURN TO HOUSTON AND HIS NEW FAMILY

Brett moved back to Houston from Los Angeles four years ago in the hopes of getting a liver transplant faster, but was given the same run-around here. He begged to get onto the transplant list two years ago, but was turned down because it still “wasn’t bad enough” yet.

Anyone who knows Brett could tell you right away that he is a fighter; he has always been the strongest person we know, and he has fought to move forward with his life even in the midst of all the uncertainty. Our family was so blessed when he met the love of his life, Cecily, got married in January 2018, and in December they had their beautiful baby boy, Mason. All of these things, he thought he would never have, because he had pushed them all away out of fear.

INSURANCE HORRORS AND THE FINANCIAL NEED

We come to you today with the biggest of challenges. Like so many people in the United States today, Brett is trapped “in between”... by being a hard worker, he makes just enough money not to qualify for health insurance subsidies or Medicaid, but not enough for decent insurance, especially since he has been in a dispute with his carrier for some time. As a result, he does not have coverage. We are working tirelessly to either get it reinstated or find some other governmental or charitable assistance, but in the meantime, we’re in a crisis.

Brett needs a whole liver transplant to survive. He is too far gone to receive a portion of a liver from a live donor and the hospitals will not help without a demonstration of financial resources in advance. The price of this is disturbing. We’re starting this GoFundMe at $100,000 but we will almost certainly have to increase it as we obtain more information. Everything donated will go toward the liver transplant and the already mounting medical and other bills resulting from ten days and counting in the hospital, with many surgical procedures already.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We are hoping for a miracle. Our family and friends are putting together everything we can. Nothing is too little to help save Brett’s life, so that his new bride can have her husband, and their son can grow up with a father. Please, if you feel this move on your heart in any way and are able to, we would beg you to donate and to share this campaign on social media. We would never be able to express our gratitude to you fully, but it would truly be infinite in our hearts.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

God has this!!! For those who pray, we would be incredibly grateful if you would please keep Brett and his family in your prayers. Thank you so much for taking the time to read.

For Mailed Donations:

Founders Baptist Church
P.O. BOX 254
Spring, TX 77383

Please make checks payable to Founders Baptist Church and write "Benevolence" in the memo section.