Most people in Sheridan know Tyler McGary. What you may not know are the silent, yet severe, health problems he has been facing for about 2 years now.

From Tyler:

"As some of you may know, many may not, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis), which in short is cirrhosis of the bile ducts in my liver as well as IBD and severe ulcerative colitis. PSC causes constant blockages in my bile ducts, leading to infections and liver damage. Due to bile build-up in my blood, I suffer from horrible itching, leading to many sleepless and painful nights, jaundice, constant fatigue, weight loss, hospitalizations due to infections, and that is just the start of it. This disease is progressive and over time will become even harder to manage due to the internal scarring. It can lead to or increase chances of other complications such as liver failure, bile duct cancer, and osteoporosis. As of right now, there is no known cure or cause for PSC.

Although I have experienced the best care and am very thankful for the doctors at UCHealth in Colorado, my body has unfortunately not responded to medications and treatments as doctors anticipated. I have been hospitalized many times over the last year and a half, have had multiple surgeries to clear out infections in my liver, and continuously had to have stents placed and replaced. These surgeries are called "ERCPs."

Unfortunately, I cannot continue to rely on them as every one comes with a high risk of developing pancreatitis and recurring cholangitis.

With that being said, my quality of life has rapidly deteriorated, and after many ER visits, hospitalizations, and medication changes this year alone, my family and I had a conversation with my doctors and the transplant committee, and have decided it is time to move forward with a liver transplant. They believe this is my “window” to take action and get me back on track to getting my life back.

I can’t thank everyone enough for the support I’ve received through this process. This has been a big learning curve for me and a life lesson that I don’t know that I could have completed without everyone in my corner. I can’t thank my family, spouse, work (Fremont Toyota), and friends for the continued support and love I receive daily.

Any donations or funds raised will go directly toward medical bills, temporary housing post-transplant, and travel expenses.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Tyler and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but today, he’s the big brother to me whom I love like he is blood. If you know Tyler, you know exactly the kind of person he is. He once drove a 26' U-Haul across the country, 42 hours in just two and a half days solely to help me move, and he refused to accept a single dollar for it. That’s who he is at his core: selfless, loyal, and always showing up for the people he cares about. Tyler is a devoted father, a loving boyfriend, a protective brother, a caring son, uncle, and the list goes on. He’s the kind of person who pours into others without ever asking for anything in return. Watching him face this battle has been heartbreaking because he’s the last person who deserves it — yet he continues to carry himself with strength, humility, and love. Tyler truly embodies what it means to be compassionate and giving. Even through his health struggles, he never stops putting others first. Now, it’s our turn to show up for him the way he has always shown up for us. Convincing him to let us make this for him was a battle because he did not want others to feel like they needed to help, but he is the most deserving person of help. It is our turn to pour into his cup.

Tyler has been facing all of this almost entirely on his own, quietly carrying the weight without ever asking for help. That’s just who he is: proud, strong, and unwilling to burden anyone else. But the truth is, he needs help right now. Between the cost of treatment, recovery, and the time he’ll be unable to work, the financial strain WILL become overwhelming. This transplant and the healing period that follows will take him out of work temporarily, and even the strongest people need a community behind them in times like this. If you’re able to contribute, share, or simply send words of encouragement, it will mean more to him, and to all of us who love him, than you could ever imagine. Together, we can help lighten the load for someone who’s carried so much on his own.

From myself, all who are close to and love him, and Tyler himself, thank you for any help you can offer, whether that be a financial donation, words of encouragement, or simply just sharing this post. Whatever help we can give him will be insurmountably helpful, and we will all be so unbelievably grateful.

- Bliss, Hadyn, Taya (Tyler's Mother), and Michele (Tyler's Grandma)