Help Joe Get to His Life-Saving Liver Transplant

Denise and Joe Marphis are facing a life-or-death fight — and they need our support.

Joe has lived with a rare chronic liver disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) for over 10 years. PSC is not caused by alcohol — it’s a progressive autoimmune disease that damages the bile ducts and liver over time. Quietly and without complaint, Joe has endured countless treatments to manage bile duct blockages, made major lifestyle changes, while continuing to work full-time for the State of Idaho.

But now, the disease has progressed to end-stage liver failure. Joe is battling severe ascites — a dangerous buildup of fluid in the abdomen that causes intense bloating, discomfort, and makes it difficult to breathe. He now needs regular procedures to drain the fluid just to stay comfortable. At this stage, a liver transplant is no longer optional — it’s his only chance of survival.

Joe has not yet been matched with a donor, but he is expected to be about one month away from surgery. Boise does not have a liver transplant center, so Joe and Denise must temporarily relocate to Salt Lake City for the transplant and recovery — at least two months away from home. This adds a huge financial burden at the worst possible time.

They are facing:

• Temporary housing in Salt Lake City

• Lost income from time off work

• Out-of-pocket medical costs

• Travel, food, and daily expenses for an extended stay away from home

Denise is a dedicated nurse. She and Joe have three children — 20-year-old twins (one in the Army and one studying to become a nurse), and a youngest who just graduated high school and is heading into the Army Reserves. They’ve worked hard, given back to others, and carried this illness privately for years.

Now, they need help — and every dollar makes a difference.

Please consider donating to support Joe’s journey to healing, so this incredible husband, father, and friend can make it through the fight of his life.