Dave's Liver Transplant Journey

Help Support Dave and His Family Through His Medical Battle

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Supporters,

We are reaching out to ask for your support for our beloved sister-in-law, Mariah, her husband, Dave, and their three wonderful boys. They have been fighting an incredibly difficult battle for nearly a decade, and now more than ever, they need our help.

Dave’s Story

In 2015, Dave was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body. At the time of his diagnosis, Mariah was expecting their third child, and their lives were thrown into turmoil when Dave became critically ill. Initially, doctors feared it was cancer, but after months of uncertainty, they determined it was sarcoidosis. While relieved it wasn’t cancer, they had no idea how devastating this disease would become.

Sarcoidosis first attacked Dave’s lymphatic system and lungs, but a few years later, it spread to his liver. Despite trying every available medication, infusion, and treatment—many of which were not covered by insurance—the disease continued to progress. In 2020, Dave underwent his first liver transplant. The family was hopeful, but last summer, he became severely ill once again. His body rejected the transplanted liver, and he needed a second transplant as soon as possible.

A Long and Difficult Recovery

In September, Dave underwent his second liver transplant. By then, his body was so weak that he developed necrotizing pancreatitis, a life-threatening condition. His surgeon warned Mariah that survival in his case was rare and that if he did make it through, his recovery would be long and filled with challenges.

Since then, Dave has spent over 150 days in the hospital, battling multiple setbacks, including sepsis three times, H1N1, influenza, and other infections due to his compromised immune system. His latest challenge is kidney failure, and he is now on dialysis, hoping to become strong enough to receive a kidney transplant in the future.

Why We Need Your Help

Through all of this, Dave remains incredibly strong. His nurses often request to care for him because of his kind and positive spirit—he never complains, never loses hope, and never stops smiling. Meanwhile, Mariah works tirelessly, putting in over 50 hours a week to provide for their family. Their three boys have stepped up in ways no child should have to, helping where they can and supporting each other through this incredibly difficult time.

The medical bills are overwhelming. For the past 10 years, they have consistently hit their high-deductible insurance limits. Many of the necessary treatments and medications aren’t covered by insurance, and the financial strain is immense. We want to help lift some of this burden so Mariah and the boys can focus on supporting Dave in his recovery without the added stress of mounting medical expenses.

How You Can Help

Any donation, big or small, will go directly toward Dave’s medical expenses and supporting his family during this time. If you’re unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your network. Every prayer, share, and word of encouragement means the world to them.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. Dave, Mariah, and their boys are deeply grateful for any help you can provide as they continue this incredibly challenging journey.

All our love and gratitude,

Jen Lingwall and family