Help Our MVP Beat PSC

Jeff, Addison, Zachary, Isabella, Devon and Max at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA

Meet Jeff Hudson

Loyal. Hard working. Tender hearted. A great story-teller. If you know Jeff Hudson, these words only begin to describe the man who is larger than life--the patriarch of five children and six grandchildren--and whose presence takes up the whole room.

Jeff, Addison, Zachary and Isabella in Washington, DC


 Jeff has survived challenges in life, which would have defeated most of us. As a rising college freshman, he lost his father to alcoholism and suicide. During his sophomore year he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. By his junior year, he found out he would soon be a father. And he faced all these challenges head on. Despite his failing health and young age, he became the greatest dad anyone could hope for. He is devoted to his children and family!

His Diagnosis: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

While living in Houston, TX, Jeff became very ill, jaundiced and was experiencing upper right side pain. After days of evaluation and misery, doctors finally arrived at the heartbreaking conclusion: Jeff had a disease of the bile duct, known as Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)--in which tissue in the bile duct becomes scarred and obstructed--and the liver's bile cannot flow freely through its ducts, and provide the necessary function of aiding in digestion.  

Jeff with Addison and Zachary at elementary school awards ceremony


Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, indicates the bile salts are flowing backwards into the blood stream, and can be evident even in the whites of the eyes. It is only a small visible sign, of the gripping damage and pain the patient feels on the inside.  Unfortunately, the only cure for PSC is a liver transplant.

Jeff's liver had expanded to three times the normal size and he nearly died from the complications. Doctors placed an external drainage tube through a hole in his right side.  This tube would remain indefinitely, and would require a daily forceful and painful saline flush, to drain bile from the liver.

Jeff’s Childhood Hero Also Battled PSC

It’s well known that Jeff is a die-hard Chicago Bears fan. And since childhood, Jeff idolized running back Walter Payton. We all remember the Bears’ wild success in the 80s, and Payton’s accomplishments as a prolific rusher. Jeff was competitive in many sports, but nothing motivated him like football. Jeff played rec league, high school and college football. He passionately identified with his hero, or “Sweetness,” as Payton was known.

Walter Payton, or "Sweetness," has been Jeff's most inspirational hero.

Jeff was an over-achiever and though he was not the tallest or biggest player on the field, Jeff excelled using his speed, agility and quick hands. “Sweetness” definitely inspired Jeff to leave it all on the field.

Jeff was not alone in shock and sadness, when sports fans learned in 1999, that Walter Payton had the incurable liver disease-PSC. What heartbreaking irony, that Jeff and his lifetime hero, would have the same rare disease.

The kinship Jeff felt with #34 now had new meaning. He knew exactly what physical and emotional suffering Walter Payton went through. He also knew that this disease could happen to anyone—even your personal hero. This new perspective gave Jeff the inner strength and determination to continue to battle through his challenges with PSC.

Jeff has always loved the Chicago Bears, and feels a special kinship with #34, Walter Payton.

Sadly, by the time Payton’s PSC was diagnosed, it was extremely advanced. And, Payton faced the grim reality—the key to surviving incurable PSC would be a new liver. Much to the shock of sports fans everywhere, Payton died seven months after diagnosis—before he could get a transplant.

The following links provide additional background on Walter Payton’s career and news of his disease. His legacy continues through the charitable Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, which has been instrumental in raising awareness of the need for organ donation, and serves the Chicago community through dozens of charitable programs.

The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation 

Tomorrow is Never Guaranteed: Remembering Walter Payton's Plight With PSC

THE NFL: Walter Payton Needs Liver Transplant 

From Wikipedia: Walter Payton 

 Faith In God

If you know anything about Jeff's family, you know their character is full of fight and full of faith. Jeff's mother and siblings launched a wide and determined prayer circle, which poured out continuous prayer for Jeff's health and comfort.

Jeff and Devon at one of many Hudson family birthday parties.

After many months, Jeff eventually had the external drain removed. Instead, he would have an invasive procedure every 5-6 months to place and replace internal stents—devices which would apply pressure to the main bile ducts to keep them open. Stents must be removed and replaced periodically, to avoid increased scar tissue and infection in the stent area.

 Other Health Challenges

Back in Richmond, Jeff was being treated for persistent and virulent ulcerative colitis (UC). After standard treatment was no help, and biopsies showed early signs of cancer, his gastroenterologist recommended ground-breaking surgery. Jeff would have his diseased colon removed, and a reservoir created using spare small intestine tissue--a reservoir to serve as a substitute for his colon, known as a "pouch."

Jeff and Isabella spending some quality father-daughter time!

At the time fewer than 100 of these procedures had ever been performed. Prior to this "one-step" surgery, patients would have the colon removed, and have to use an external bag or reservoir, to perform the colon's job. The new procedure removed damaged tissue and, therefore reduced chances that cancer could develop in Jeff’s colon.

Over the next three decades, Jeff battled PSC enduring frequent episodes of cholangitis, which occurs when the bile ducts get completely blocked, inflamed and develop infection. Severe pain, chills and fever plague the body until antibiotics begin to work.

Jeff, Addison, Zachary, and Isabella along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, PA.


Jeff’s business and professional contacts had no idea that privately, he was fighting severe health issues. Jeff excelled at work and remained healthy in all other aspects. He eventually became a vice president with the company he served for almost 25 years. His division enjoyed growth and record profits. His many accomplishments included starting an overseas operation in Bucharest, Romania. This company grew to 60 employees and was ultimately sold to American investors.

While Jeff was working in Bucharest, Romania, he became good friends with Martin and Ramona. 


 For 8 years, while Jeff made transatlantic flights, connections and layovers lasting 24 hours from door to door, no one would have guessed he had his colon removed, or had PSC, or any other disease. God kept him healthy, strong, both physically and mentally—in ways that defied what his doctors had seen in other patients with both UC and PSC.

Jeff and Max at the oriental gardens in Maymont Park, Richmond, VA.

Fast forward to the winter of 2011. After a couple of days of fever and sharp right side pain, we went to the emergency room. Jeff’s bile duct was completely blocked with several calcified stones, causing damage to the gall bladder. He had the stones and gall bladder removed. After only two days of recovery, Jeff returned to work. Ten days after surgery, he flew to Bucharest, Romania for work. Jeff would become known for this warrior-like response to obstacles in his life, pushing through trials most of us couldn’t survive.

Jeff, and his mother, Aloma with Jeff's first grandchild, Audrianna.



Shortly after his gall bladder surgery, Jeff accepted a request by his company to relocate to Charlotte, NC, to revive an under-performing branch office. He took on this new assignment, unfazed by his health concerns. This was the way he had always lived his life—not backing down to any challenge.

Jeff, Addison and Zachary celebrating Addison and Lindsay's engagement in Montpelier, VA.

Once in Charlotte, Jeff pursued answers to his disease with a new gastroenterologist and new hepatologist. His medical team recommended an invasive procedure every 3-4 months, known as an ERCP, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography. A tiny scoping device allowed the doctor to travel into the bile ducts, gather images and collect tissue samples, to help monitor the progression of Jeff’s disease. The procedure also allowed a kind of “brushing” –using a tiny wire, brush-like device to scrape and break away scar tissue adhering to the duct walls.

Jeff, Deborah, and Isabella at Addison and Lindsay's rehearsal dinner.


While on the outside, Jeff was healthy and appeared robust, his disease was active on the inside. After two years of the scoping procedure, his doctor said he had done all he could do and recommended Jeff be evaluated for liver transplant. In November 2015, Jeff made it on the national transplant list. As relieved as we were for this rare opportunity, we had to accept the reality that the average wait for a liver can be as long as two years.

Jeff, Deborah, Addison and Lindsay, Zachary, Isabella, and Max with five grandchildren. With Zach: Phoenix. Standing from left to right, Cole, Audrianna, and Roman. With Lindsay: Jack.

Since 2015, Jeff has continued to lose weight, has extreme fatigue and is very jaundiced. Eating regularly is difficult, resulting in nausea and diminished appetite. His normal weight should be around 165. He is down to 125.

The waiting has taken an emotional toll. Not knowing when the call will come--but realizing it will be a long wait--—is agonizing.

Accustomed to traveling extensively for work, Jeff had to eliminate travel more than two hours from the hospital, in order to qualify for the transplant list.



Job Loss

In a development not directly related to his health, but having to do with his company’s downsizing, Jeff’s position was recently eliminated. This came as a devastating blow—emotionally and financially.  

Jeff is not realistically healthy enough to work, but doesn’t fit the catastrophic definition of disability. He is facing the coming months with no income and the real possibility of losing insurance coverage while he waits for his life-saving transplant.Spreading that Hudson love holding Jack, Addison and Lindsay's baby.

This clan keeps growing! In back, from left to right: Roman and Audrianna. In front, Cole is holding Molly--grandchild #6. Jack in the middle and Phoenix on the right.

Outlook and Fundraising Goal

Since it is an unknown when Jeff’s transplant will come, and working full time is practically impossible, our family faces immense financial challenges over the next year to 18 months. If God’s will is that the transplant occurs in 2017, then our family will be looking at the remainder of this year, plus the estimated 6 months of full recovery. We are raising funds to help us pay our insurance premiums, meet our share of the medical costs and help us with living expenses while Jeff is unable to work.

Jeff with Max, and Devon, who just graduated from  theUniversity of South Carolina.


Tragedy and Second Chances

As a family, we understand one very difficult reality. That another family will lose a loved one, in order for Jeff to have a second chance at a disease-free life. It is heartbreaking to come to terms with this painful fact. We can only pray that God will control all outcomes and we can pray in advance for another family’s loss.

Thank You For Your Prayers And Support

For as long as Jeff can remember, he has been surrounded by a determined and faithful prayer circle. God answered these prayers giving Jeff the strength and grace to survive three decades with an incurable and debilitating disease. We humbly thank you for your continued prayers. We accept that his time has come for medical intervention and thank God for Jeff’s skilled and caring doctors, nurses and staff.

Jeff and Deborah enjoying brunch at one of their favority local spots--Alton's Kitchen and Cocktails.

Keep us in your prayers. And thank you for your kind and generous donation.

The Hudson Family