Hello friends. My name is Christine Carelli. I'm here on behalf of Joseph Carelli, my devoted husband of 28 years and loving father to 3 amazing children: John, June-Aine, and Brighid.

In September 2024, Joe was diagnosed with ascites, a severe buildup of fluid in the body. It was sudden and treated. He has had several flare-ups since, each one worse than before and causing more and more damage to his body. Finally, in June, Joe was diagnosed with End Stage Liver Failure. A liver transplant is the only thing that will save his life. This has come as quite a blow to all of us.

We had gone into NYU Langone Hospital in NYC for some pre-testing for liver transplant surgery. Joe was admitted then and there, as he was too sick to be released. He is home now, but he is on the fast track to a transplant. We've been searching for a living donor for Joseph and right now, our son, John, is being tested as a possible living donor. We hope that this match is perfect. However, finding a donor is only the tip of the iceberg.

Our biggest dilemma right now is how we will handle this financially.

Severe crippling arthritis has caused Joseph to rely on disability for many years now. I have also had to rely on disability due to my own debilitating health issues. I'm working too, but it is still not enough to pay for the cost of a liver transplant.

The average cost of a liver transplant in the United States is estimated to be around $1,000,000 as of 2023. However, this cost can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

Hospital and surgeon fees:

The hospital and surgeon where the transplant is performed will charge different fees.

Donor type:

The cost of a live donor transplant is typically lower than a deceased donor transplant.

Post-transplant care:

The cost of medications, hospitalization, and other follow-up care after the transplant can add up quickly.

Insurance coverage:

Health insurance may cover a significant portion of the cost of a liver transplant.

According to a 2020 study, the average cost of a liver transplant, including pre-transplant evaluation, surgery, and post-transplant care, was $878,400. This figure is expected to increase in the future due to rising healthcare costs and the increasing complexity of liver transplants.

So we are now reaching out to you, family, friends, colleagues, strangers—anyone and everyone. Please find it in your heart to assist us in this battle that we are facing. Joe needs this life-saving surgery. We are not ready to give up this fight.

Please do what you can. If you cannot donate, please kindly spread the word and pass this along to everyone you know.

And if you or anyone you know would be willing to be tested as a possible living liver tissue donor for Joe, please reach out to us. The more candidates, the better.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Update!!!

Had the most incredible news, our son John, has been cleared to be the living liver donor for his father!!! That news is an early Anniversary present from the Universe..our Anniversary is on Oct 31st.

Now the long road ahead...and the bills keep rolling in...only to grow. Please, anything you can donate to help us in this trying time would be appreciated from the bottoms of our hearts. Please continue to share as well. Blessings to you all.