Jeanne Kuhfta's Liver Transplant

In June of 2023, our mother, Jeanne Kuhfta, was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer of the bile ducts in the liver, is a very rare and aggressive cancer that accounts for 5% of all liver cancers and has a very low resectability rate. Due to the location and size of the tumor, a resection is not an option and mom requires a live liver transplant. Mom is currently on the donor list and will have a liver transplant at the University of Rochester. While the donor has not been determined yet, they have began exploring the donor applicants. It takes ~2-3 weeks to complete a full work up on a donor. Once a donor is chosen, it will take ~6 weeks to get an OR and the staff booked for the liver transplant.

Once mom receives the liver transplant, she will be in the ICU and then on the transplant floor anywhere from 3-6 weeks and will be required to stay close to U of R for a period of time once discharged. She will then require labs twice a week for six weeks or until cleared and a chunk of time for recovery once she is home.

While mom loves working, due to her job, she will need to be out for a period of time. We are unsure how long she will be out of work after the surgery and therefore are asking for your help. After the transplant, mom will be required to take anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life. Even with insurance, she will have to pay $1,000 a month out of pocket just for the anti-rejection medications and that does not include additional medications she will need to take. The money raised will also cover her mortgage, health insurance premiums, gas to drive back and forth to appointments, and a place for family to stay in Rochester for the time that mom is in the hospital. Our goal would cover mom for 12 months. While we do not know who the donor will be, we would also like to provide them with a portion as they will also be out of work.

Thank you all for your continued love and support. With love, Jeanne, Michelle and Mackenzie.