Hi, I'm Liz and my cousin Mike Radosevic has just received a new lease on life through the incredible sacrifice of an anonymous angel.

I'll tell you more, but first let me help you know Mike. I say "cousin" but according to our DNA, he is my half-brother because our moms, Jeanette Lee and Janett Marie Funk, were identical twins. Mike grew up in Peoria on Dechman Ave. with his siblings Tonya, Marlon, and Terra and attended schools in the area. He married his high school sweetheart, Christy Turner, in 1991 and they have been together ever since. They have 3 amazing children: Amanda (Shane), Alyssa, and Luka, plus 3 sweet grandchildren: Cora, Barrett, and Harper (born on the 4th of July and still waiting to meet her Grandpa).

Mike is proud to be a first-generation American, born to a Croatian immigrant that bleeds red, white, and blue. He has been a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and baseball in general. For years, he coached his kids' softball and little league teams. For a kid who didn't have the best example of how to be a father, he broke the mold and became one of the best dads I know. Mike and Christy have shown up and supported not only their own kids but their nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins. Mike has worked hard for many years at some of the more prominent organizations in our community, including OSF, State Farm, and CEFCU. Currently, they live in Dunlap where Luka attends high school and will be a junior in a few short weeks. Their church home is Northwoods Community, where they enjoy services that uplift them spiritually.

A couple of years ago, Mike was not feeling well and was not gaining much traction locally on why. He decided to get a second opinion in Chicago, where he learned he had liver cancer and inoperable tumors, which sounded hopeless. Not willing to give up, Mike and Christy went to Mayo Clinic where Mike underwent more testing only to be told his only chance at survival would be a liver transplant. But they indicated because the type of tumors were thought to be cholangiocarcinoma he could not be a transplant candidate. With few expectations, Mike and Christy went to the University of Chicago for yet another evaluation, and they left with a treatment plan and HOPE that if the tumors could be reduced, Mike would be able to be listed on the UNOS donor registry. The bad thing about needing an organ is they aren't a readily available commodity and usually, you have to get really bad to move to the top of the list, but that's where the anonymous angel comes in.

Because the liver is the only human organ that can regenerate, it is possible to receive a partial live donor liver. You can imagine the shock Mike felt when he learned in May that there was an almost perfect match available for him and that the transplant would happen less than 8 weeks later, so many emotions with so little time to prepare.

Mike's first words post-op to the transplant surgeon were, "How is the donor doing?" This sums up Mike's character completely. He is kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and such a beautiful human being.

When I spoke to Mike today and asked how he was feeling and how things were going, he laughed and said, "My bank account is bleeding more than I did getting a new liver." That's when I asked if I could start this GoFundMe for him. He teared up and said he couldn't ask others for help, and I told him that's exactly what your village is here for. I know things are difficult for many people right now and any little bit helps. If you are unable to help financially, please consider sending up a prayer or positive intention for his quick recovery. All the love and support are appreciated immensely!!