Heather McCormick: daughter, sister, friend, mother of two young boys, wife, and a woman in need of a liver transplant.
 
In late 2018, Heather announced her need for a living liver donor, due to the discovery of precancerous cells in her bile duct. Although Heather garnered a spot on Alberta’s transplant list, unfortunately the number of people (with severely declined levels of heath) in need of a transplant are significantly higher than the organs readily available.
 
Waiting recipients, like Heather, who are in good health (despite the need for an organ) are placed low on the priority list and can often wait years before having an organ matched. In Heather’s case, her excellent health means being placed on the lowest possible priority level, leaving her at risk for these precancerous cells to change to full-blown cancer. Liver cancer is one of the least treatable cancers, and once it spreads, the only real path is palliative care. Waiting simply isn’t an option.
 
When the news reached Connie Fluke, she had an instinct to put her name forward as a potential donor candidate. Putting her name forward just felt “right” and in March of this year, Connie was a confirmed match.
 
On April 8thHeather and Connie will undergo their respective liver transplant and donor surgeries in Edmonton. The organ transplant surgery and recovery will be extensive, slow and with a considerable amount of risk for Heather. She will be in ICU for several weeks to ensure her body’s best chance of accepting this new liver, as well as adjusting to a life with anti-rejection medication side effects. Post surgery, Heather will need to stay several months in Edmonton for medical appointments and monitoring, without the ability to drive.
 
Over the next six months, Heather and her family are prepared to do what’s necessary to ensure a successful recovery, which includes finding a temporary home that is peaceful, in close proximity to the hospital, and has the space where her family can focus on what matters the most… being a family.  
 
Unfortunately, AHS does not provide organ recipients any reimbursements for the costs associated with this process. With a projected 12-month recovery timeframe (including this extensive stay in Edmonton and potential future follow-up stays), this Go Fund Me campaign will help the McCormicks offset the expenses that are required during this time such as parking, accommodation, medications, and food (and perhaps a few family outings or date nights added too). 
 
You may also be curious how this process impacts an organ donor? While a less extensive road to recovery, Connie’s journey is not without risk and costs as well. If you would also like to understand (and possibly support) Connie’s recovery, there is a separate GFM page dedicated  to her.
 
 
Heather is a loving, generous and compassionate person who is determined to come through this journey with a stronger resolve to embrace this upcoming chapter with positivity and grace. With her strong support network, she has been humbled at the kindness this journey has already shown and is ready to face what’s ahead. Fear is simply a four-letter acronym for Face Everything And Rise.
 
On behalf of Heather, she is profoundly grateful for all your support.