Jorge Pacheco's Gift of Love & Life
Donation protected
On Mother’s Day, a day that always starts with joyful giggles and sweet cuddles from my two children and loving husband, this one particular day suddenly took a turn for the worst after an early morning visit to our local ER. At the age of 42, I learned that I had colorectal cancer that
spread extensively to my liver. The future that was presented to us was filled with uncertainty, as we were told that there would be no cure and that chemotherapy treatments would only likely give us another 5 to 6 months at best. It was a future that we were unwilling to accept. With my heart in our hands, I looked to my faith and sought out hope where there was none. On that fateful day of May 14th of 2017, our cancer journey began.
After just a little over a year of chemo and surgery to implant a device that would deliver chemo directly to my liver, we learned that the chemotherapy that was keeping my cancer stable was starting to take a toll on my body. Our knowledgeable and compassionate Oncologist asked us to consider the option of a living liver donor transplant. He explained that acceptance into the clinical trial at Toronto General Hospital was rare, as only those with isolated and stable tumors
to the liver would be accepted. Our window of opportunity was small as the risk of the cancer spreading was imminent, and with that, in June of 2018, our search for a living donor began.
From the moment we shared the news that we were searching for a donor my first cousin Jorge Pacheco confidently announced that he was going to be our donor. There was never a moment of hesitation on his part, despite my many ongoing attempts to talk him out of it. His loving wife Susana and their two wonderful children Lyndsie and Joshua have been faithfully dedicated to supporting him in this life-changing decision. I cannot say that his unwavering desire to do this
came as a surprise to me. It did not. Jorge has always been a run into the fire to save a life kind of guy. This was the same person after all who rescued me from a near drowning accident when he was only a young man himself.
On the morning of May 1st Jorge will be selflessly donating over 50% of his liver giving me a second chance at a beautiful life. There is no doubt in my heart that he is our guardian angel, placed here on earth to fearlessly protect all of those that he loves.
This life-saving gift that I am about to receive does not come without a cost. While Jorge’s insurance will cover some of the medical expenses related to the process of living donor organ donation, many expenses including travel, lodging, and lost wages are not covered. I am hoping that through this act of kindness and with your donations, together we can raise funds to help support Jorge and his family in their “gift of love & life” to us.
In addition to his desire to be a living liver donor, this hero of ours is determined to help raise awareness about living liver organ donations. Many people are not aware that they can donate a portion of their liver safely and that the liver regenerates itself in a matter of weeks. A Living Liver donation saves not one but two lives - the life of the recipient, while freeing up a spot for those on a tranplant waiting list. Together we can save lives and help support those individuals like Jorge Pacheco that heroically volunteer to be a living donor.
To find out more on being a living donor visit www.uhn.ca or contact [email redacted]
The Elhilali and Pacheco family thank you for your generous contributions to this noble cause.
spread extensively to my liver. The future that was presented to us was filled with uncertainty, as we were told that there would be no cure and that chemotherapy treatments would only likely give us another 5 to 6 months at best. It was a future that we were unwilling to accept. With my heart in our hands, I looked to my faith and sought out hope where there was none. On that fateful day of May 14th of 2017, our cancer journey began.
After just a little over a year of chemo and surgery to implant a device that would deliver chemo directly to my liver, we learned that the chemotherapy that was keeping my cancer stable was starting to take a toll on my body. Our knowledgeable and compassionate Oncologist asked us to consider the option of a living liver donor transplant. He explained that acceptance into the clinical trial at Toronto General Hospital was rare, as only those with isolated and stable tumors
to the liver would be accepted. Our window of opportunity was small as the risk of the cancer spreading was imminent, and with that, in June of 2018, our search for a living donor began.
From the moment we shared the news that we were searching for a donor my first cousin Jorge Pacheco confidently announced that he was going to be our donor. There was never a moment of hesitation on his part, despite my many ongoing attempts to talk him out of it. His loving wife Susana and their two wonderful children Lyndsie and Joshua have been faithfully dedicated to supporting him in this life-changing decision. I cannot say that his unwavering desire to do this
came as a surprise to me. It did not. Jorge has always been a run into the fire to save a life kind of guy. This was the same person after all who rescued me from a near drowning accident when he was only a young man himself.
On the morning of May 1st Jorge will be selflessly donating over 50% of his liver giving me a second chance at a beautiful life. There is no doubt in my heart that he is our guardian angel, placed here on earth to fearlessly protect all of those that he loves.
This life-saving gift that I am about to receive does not come without a cost. While Jorge’s insurance will cover some of the medical expenses related to the process of living donor organ donation, many expenses including travel, lodging, and lost wages are not covered. I am hoping that through this act of kindness and with your donations, together we can raise funds to help support Jorge and his family in their “gift of love & life” to us.
In addition to his desire to be a living liver donor, this hero of ours is determined to help raise awareness about living liver organ donations. Many people are not aware that they can donate a portion of their liver safely and that the liver regenerates itself in a matter of weeks. A Living Liver donation saves not one but two lives - the life of the recipient, while freeing up a spot for those on a tranplant waiting list. Together we can save lives and help support those individuals like Jorge Pacheco that heroically volunteer to be a living donor.
To find out more on being a living donor visit www.uhn.ca or contact [email redacted]
The Elhilali and Pacheco family thank you for your generous contributions to this noble cause.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sandra Elhilali
Organizer
Richmond Hill, ON
Jorge Pacheco
Beneficiary