Support Gene's Liver and Kidney Medical Care

Hello! Our family is excited to introduce you to Gene Eckenrode.

Ok, well that IS him.. but that's a pic from the 1970s. Here's how we have known him over the last few decades:

Gene the Hair Stylist

Gene the Dancing Machine

The Beard Era- Still a Dancing Machine

The Amish era... or, just looking good... always

This last picture was in January 2023 at his nieces wedding. We all love this picture!

Gene is a kind and compassionate man with a huge heart for cats, family, friends, and all things Cher. Gene has always been known as the life of the party. The uncle who brings the fun to family gatherings. The partner who keeps things fun and spicy. The brother who brings the love. The cat dad with a heart big enough for 10,000 cats. We have all been the recipient of his unconditional love and now it is time for our family to be there for him as he has been there for us.

After a years long battle with non-alcoholic cirrohis of the liver, he is now in end stage liver disease. Unfortunately, his liver disease is affecting other organs and his kidneys are now begining to fail and he is now in Stage IV kidney failure. But, there is HOPE! In the unmistakable words of Gene's beloved Cher, we are going to TURN BACK TIME!

Gene's insurance will cover many of the costs of his multiple hostpital stays and sugeries, but many of the prescriptions, treatments, transportation costs, etc. will not be covered and he still has other expenses during this long period of illness. We are reaching out to friends, family, neighbors, and his world-wide circle of fellow Cher fans to ask for their generous help to make sure Gene has the resources needed to pay for all of the care that he needs.

Here is Gene in February 2024 after getting to go visit his kitties after another hospital stay.

Any help that you can provide to support him by reducing some of the serious economic challenges of this journey would be so very appreciated!

On behalf of Gene, our entire family says Thank you!

*To follow updates about Gene's journey, please check out our CaringBridge site.