Help Phillip Batten Fight Liver Cancer

Hello all, I am Jodi Griffin, daughter of Phillip Batten. I wanted to reach out to everyone that does not know what has transpired over the last few months.

A man that my siblings (Pam) (Stephen) and I are blessed enough to call Daddy, Mr. Phillip Vaughn Batten, has been diagnosed with liver cancer. Since receiving this news, we have been in a whirlwind with everything from doctors' appointments, scans, treatment plans, and prayers. In 2017, Dad was diagnosed with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

We have been fighting this battle right alongside of him and are now asking you to do the same in trying to help save his life. Since coming up with a plan, we have found that he is a candidate for a liver transplant at Duke Medicine Hospital in Durham.

Once undergoing radiation to shrink masses found on his liver, he will be able to be placed on the transplant list. Once placed on the list, he will wait for a match so a liver can be transplanted.

Although this news shook our family to the core, Daddy, like always, remains strong in faith and continues to be the rock of our family. This disease has taken far too many people in our family over the past years. Two of Phillip's siblings were found with liver cancer, and one was fortunate enough to receive a liver transplant, which helped her live for many years. Unfortunately, his brother passed away far too quickly before having that option. For those that know Phillip, know that he is well known for his positive outlook on life and loves to inspire people through music by playing the guitar and, well, any instrument he lays his hands on. Daddy has been a native of Montgomery County (Troy) for 65 years, married to our sweet mother Brenda for 40 strong years. Phillip, for most of that time, has not only been inspiring people with his talent but also makes instruments!

Phillip has worked his entire life to provide for his family, has played music for fundraisers, charities, orphanages, festivals, and churches, and now could really use the help from the community he calls home. We are asking that you help us save his life and talent by helping us raise the funds for his liver transplant. He will be required to stay within a few miles of Duke Medicine Hospital after his transplant and will have to do that for 30 days. He will have to have a caretaker 24 hours a day during that time, which will be one of us. The cost of hotel stays, parking, appointments, food, and household bills are never-ending, but neither has Phillip's fight! If you can make any donation at all that could help our Daddy in his fight, please do! We will be holding a benefit dinner to help raise funds in the near future as well. Thank you all for your help!