<div>Hi, my name is Isabella Horton, and I have a wonderful dad that is beloved by family and friends. In early November 2021, Pedro (dad) got admitted to the ER because he was throwing up blood all night and feeling weak. As a child receiving this call was nerve-racking. Dad would never go to the emergency unless he was dying, and that was our first thought. After an emergency endoscopy, doctors shared that he had NASH (Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) Cirrhosis so severe that a liver transplant is needed. The doctor indicated that the cirrhosis had been long in the making, and symptoms were misdiagnosed. In March, he had an MRI and carcinoma was found in his liver. By June, he was accepted to the INTEGRIS Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute in Oklahoma City. Doctors, nurses and staff have been very helpful and explained to us the procedures, risks and new changes that he will have to make for life. They also enjoyed from the beginning dad’s sense of humor. He has routine MRIs every 3 months to evaluate his carcinoma, which help the doctors to determine his place on the transplant list. He was accepted to the transplant list, and we are hopeful that he could get his new liver by the end of this year or early next year. Besides the cost of surgery, Pedro will have to take medications for life which both can get expensive. The transplant institute said that he is a great candidate because of his overall health and optimistic view of life. Family members and friends have reached out to us wanting to help, so we opened this Go Fund Me. We are blessed to have people like you interested in helping! 
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<div>How is Pedro Velasco? 
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<div>Pedro Velasco is a great son, loving husband, caring dad, no-so-grumpy grandpa and funny friend. He is the first son of Elsa Escobar (aka Mamagrande) and Pedro Velasco Senior. He says that he is Mamagrande’s favorite. His siblings Pablo, Edoardo and Elsa can object to this statement. He is from Venezuela but Stillwater, Oklahoma, has been his favorite place to live. He graduated at Stillwater High School and completed his BS in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University. He went back to Venezuela and had two wonderful kids Isabella and Ignacio. He came back to OK with both of the kids and introduced them to OSU. He continued his higher education with a MS in International Business and Economic Relations and initiated a Doctored in Leisure Sciences. Later he met Lorri, married her and became step dad of Jessica and Sarrah. He is the grandpa of two, Mason (from Jessica) and Anabella (from Isabella). Family is very important to Pedro as well as his community. 
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<div>He is a very active member of the Knights of Columnbus with the San Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stillwater. Many people enjoy spending time with him because of his willingness to help others and his sense of humor. How many dad jokes would he tell at the time… as many you let him. Also he is very humble and he will be glad to tell you how humble he is.   
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<div>How can you help?
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<div>Here are ways you could help:
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<li>PRAYERS. We believe in the power of praying, it gives us hope that God will intercede in every step of this journey. 
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<li>CONTRIBUTING TO THIS FUNDRAISER. We are blessed that Pedro and Lorri have good insurance; however, this will be a life changing event and will require so many medications and doctor visits that still can be financially exhausting. 
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<li>COMMENT AND SHARE. It is always great to hear from other people how Pedro has been part of their life. Especially the funny moments! Please leave a comment with your donation. We would like a great laugh.
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<div>We are thankful for your help!            
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DIANA ROMANO

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DJ & Erin Johnson

Mary Medlin

Let's help Pedro Velasco

Let's help Pedro Velasco

Still $14,505 to go. Help us build momentum.