Help Support Craig Schaefer’s Liver Transplant Journey

This is Craig. He is very sick, and is currently on the waiting list for a liver transplant. The transplant will take place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Craig lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

He is a loving partner, and a thoughtful, kind man, who would give his last dollar to help a stranger.

Craig is funny, and quick witted.

He loves playing guitar, and has a wonderful singing voice.

When he’s not in the kitchen, creating amazing dishes, he can be found puttering around the house, and yard. Craig is also an animal lover; cuddling with the cats, playing frisbee with the dogs, and sharing his food with the birds.

Craig has worked at Purolator Courier for the last 19 years. He loves his job! He enjoys interacting with his coworkers and customers every day, and the walking keeps him in great shape.

Right now, all of this has been put on hold. Right now, Craig is very, very sick.

Craig has liver disease (NRH/NASH (nodular regenerative hyperplasia/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) cirrhosis).

He has lived with Crohn’s disease for almost forty years. Researchers are finding links between Crohn’s and liver disease, although the exact cause is still unknown.

Craig has been sick on and off for the last two years. Liver disease is tough to diagnose, and there were a lot of specialists and tests involved to finally get the diagnosis.

Over those two years, Craig has been unable to work regularly, due to complications from his failing liver.

For the last several months, Craig has been unable to work or live independently. His hands tremble, and his motor skills have diminished. Some days he struggles with feeding himself. He cannot drive, and walking is unsafe for him, resulting in falls. His brain is flooded with ammonia; his liver can no longer remove the toxins from his body. This leaves him confused, sleepy, and subject to an irreversible coma if he’s not watched carefully. Over the last year he’s been hospitalized a number of times, for life threatening conditions. The hospitalizations are becoming more frequent, as his health declines.

I have been by Craig’s side through this entire journey, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be. I drive him to his many medical appointments and tests, and care for him at home 24/7.

This has put a financial strain on us, and we are out of savings. We are struggling, and we need help.

The trip to Toronto for the transplant is very costly, and will be a major financial burden. Craig’s flight will be reimbursed after the fact, but I’m responsible for meals, transportation, hotel accommodations, any additional flights, and pet care at home.

Once home, Craig will require 24 hour care from me for about a month. The anti rejection drugs he’ll take for life are very expensive. The recovery will be long, and he won’t be back at work for some time.

We are asking for donations to help alleviate the burden of liver failure/transplant related expenses.

Any amount, big or small, is appreciated.

We know it’s a big ask, but Craig and I really need your help.

Please help us spread the word about Craig’s journey, and share with your friends and family. Your support means the world to us, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.