My mother is an addictions counselor, she helps people. Since 1995 she's helped the people of Maryland get clean, learn anger management skills, and work through their problems. Now, though, she needs help. My mother has a disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, the only cure for which is a liver transplant. The disease has progressed to the point that things are getting pretty dire. Twice in the last month my mother's been hospitalized due to complications from the disease only to be told that there isn't anything that can be done; things will just continue to get worse until she either gets the liver transplant or she died.

However, she's approximately 700th in line for a transplant in the Maryland region. Doctors at University of Maryland Medical Center have told her that she needs to move south, because she'll stand a better chance of getting a liver in Florida or New Orleans. She could be as high as 4th in line if she moves to Florida. We've been informed in no uncertain terms that she will die before she gets a liver if she stays here.

My mother is a strong woman. When my brother was diagnosed with bone cancer three years ago, she was with him every step of the way. Through three separate tumors and two intensive surgeries, she juggled two full time jobs, doctors visits and hospital stays. However, the office where she and my step-father had worked at for the last twenty years closed in January, leaving him without income and her income severely reduced.

It's now come to the point that my mother can no longer work. The end of May will also be the end of her employment. She has appointments set up with hospitals in Florida to see if she can be accpeted into their transplant programs, but the costs of travel, eventually moving, and on going healthcare build up fast. Especially when there's little-to-no money coming in.

We need help to get my mother where she needs to be to get the care necessary to save her life.