Help Dean's Journey to a New Liver

Hello, my name is Tracie Brisk. I'm setting up this GoFundMe page for my husband, Dean. He is in need of a liver transplant. The cost of the transplant is around $800,000. Our insurance does cover most of this, but other costs include travel to and from appointments, the many hospital stays so far, and many more to come. Accommodations for after the surgery are also needed. We are required to be within 1 hour of the hospital. This means getting a motel or possibly trying to move our RV to an RV park near Duke Medical Center. We are required to stay there anywhere from 30-45 days. This also means me taking time off work with FMLA for which I will not be paid. I have already missed many days, have used most of my PTO, and many unpaid days with the FMLA. That alone is going to hurt us financially. Expenses after the surgery include multiple visits back to Duke and many doctor visits. We have already spent so much on medications and the cost is outrageous. But these are medications he needs and will continue to need after the transplant. As you all may know, he has already been in and out of the hospital many, many times, and even when it seems like there is little or no hope, he comes back to us and we keep moving on with his care. He is a fighter, he is doing everything he has to do to get to this new life that he so deserves. All of our families on both sides have been wonderful, giving words of encouragement and so much love. I would not normally do anything like this, but I'm desperate, yes desperate. Any amount that you could possibly spare would be greatly appreciated. If you aren't able to give, I would ask then to please keep us in your prayers as we have a long way to go.

Also we want to put out there that Dean is able to have a living donor.

Blood type: A+ or O+

As always, will be looking into family first and then anyone else who is interested in becoming a donor.

Please call 1-919-613-7777 and ask to speak with the living donor coordinator.

To complete it online: https://www.dukehealth.org/treatments/transplant-program/liver donation

Click on the link halfway down the says "Self-Referral Survey" under the "Begin the Process " section.

Please share this with everyone you know!!!

From the bottom of my heart,

Thank you,

Tracie Brisk (Dean)