Help Garrett Get a Lifesaving Live Liver Donor Transplant

Help Garrett Beat Stage IV Cancer with a Lifesaving Liver Transplant

Hello, my name is Duane Smith, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my cousin, Garrett Smith—a devoted husband, loving father, and cancer warrior.

In 2020, Garrett was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer. By the time doctors found it, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes and liver. He was given just 2.5 years to live. Seven of the top hospitals in the country told him his case was inoperable. The tumors in his liver were too numerous. No one would take the risk.

But Garrett—and his incredible wife Jeanna—refused to give up.

Together with their two boys, Brody and Brayden, they decided to fight. They searched relentlessly until they found world-renowned liver surgeon Dr. Yuman Fong at City of Hope. He agreed to try what others wouldn't. In July 2021, Garrett underwent his first major liver resection: the primary tumor in his colon, 17 lymph nodes, gallbladder, and 30% of his liver were removed. A hepatic artery infusion (HAI) pump was implanted to deliver targeted chemotherapy directly to his liver. And it worked—it bought him time.

Over the last five years, Garrett has endured:

Despite all of this, Garrett was NED (No Evidence of Disease) for 16 precious months.

But now, his cancer is back.

In October of 2024, scans revealed tumors in and around his bile duct. His doctors have determined that the only chance for survival now is a lifesaving live liver donor transplant. Garrett is currently listed for transplant at the University of Chicago—and miraculously, Terri Woods Sirmon of GA has stepped forward as a living donor to help save Garrett. Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude to Terri for the incredible gift of life. The transplant surgery is scheduled for July 29th at the University of Chicago.

This is Garrett’s best—and possibly last—chance to beat this awful disease.

But the financial burden is crushing.

While still working, the toll this has taken on Garrett and his family the last five years—physically, emotionally, and financially—is unimaginable. The transplant costs are staggering, and they also need to cover expenses for his donor, travel, housing in Chicago, recovery time, and out-of-pocket medical costs.

This is where you come in.

We are raising funds to support Garrett and his family through this critical phase of his cancer journey. Every dollar will go directly to:

Garrett has spent over five years defying the odds. He has shown unbelievable strength, resilience, and hope. Now, he needs us—his friends, family, and community—to help him take this final step toward survival.

Please donate what you can. Share this story. Stand with Garrett, Jeanna, Brody, and Brayden as they fight to keep their family whole.

With gratitude,

Duane