Please help Colin and Emily

No 27 year old should be lying in a hospital bed desperately waiting for a new liver through no fault of his own. For those of you who are lucky enough to know Colin Mcguire, then you know that he is the last person that deserves this. Colin is one of the funniest, kindest, and most amazing people that I know. He’s the guy that shows up every time you need a ride (he’s the best DD), comes with a bag of takeout when you can’t make it to dinner because you have no sitter, or just someone to make you laugh. His heart is so big that I often wonder how it fits in his chest. Although Colin doesn’t want to ask for it, he needs our help.

 On January 28th Colin was rushed to Beth Israel Hospital where he was admitted to the ICU from Jordan Hospital. He suffers from Lupus and so he had attributed his recently swollen legs and fatigue to the autoimmune disease. His girlfriend, Emily, insisted that he get checked out as he had rapidly deteriorated. Thank God she did.  Most of you know that Colin does not drink, and yet his liver seems to have failed (according to a liver biopsy) due to some sort of toxic exposure that is unknown and could have happened at any point in his life. There is no other option than to receive a whole new liver. Colin and Emily have not left the hospital since January 28th. Emily has spent the past month and a half sleeping in chairs, in waiting areas, eating in the cafeteria, and showering at a local gym. Occasionally she will get and Air B&B or make the drive back to Falmouth. She is afraid to be too far from him as his condition changes hour to hour and she needs to be there to make decisions when he is unable to. He has undergone 7 procedures to stop internal bleeding and during the last one an accident occurred. There was a bleed below his lung that ran into the hip and leg and when they injected the permanent clotting agent into the vein, it somehow went the wrong way and clotted and blocked the blood vessels to his spine. The Doctors are unsure if Colin will ever walk again. While he still has a small amount of feeling in his toes, he no longer has use of his legs. Every day is a battle that Colin manages to stay positive through. Drains tubes to release fluid from his lungs out of his side, countless bags of fresh blood, jaundice, and endless IVs are now his life. Emily has been a constant support, but it has been financially draining. The costs of the parking garage, the meals that aren’t out of the vending machines, the gas to drive back to the Cape, and the occasional real bed so she can actually sleep is slowly depleting their finances. When Colin does receive a new liver they will need to relocate. I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT HE WILL. Their house is on the second floor of an apartment building. They will need a new home that is wheelchair accessible and completely sterile for those first few perilous months. They will need to adapt a shower and purchase everything that he will need. Emily is a Bar Manager that typically works 65 hours a week during the season. Anyone who knows her will tell you that she is NOT one to ever ask for help. She’s a hard worker and incredibly independent. But, even for Emily this is going to be an insurmountable task. Colin will not be able to work and will need someone with him at all times.

We live on the Cape. We are a group of people that knows how rough life can get and we are also a community that rallies to support one of their own when they need help. This is one of those times. I need you to help me help Colin and Emily. Any amount will be appreciated. Every little bit will go to supporting them while they fight to save Colin’s life. So that they can concentrate on the things that really matter and not money. For those of you who are unable to help monetarily I ask that you send positive thoughts and prayers to Colin. I also ask people that are not organ donor’s to consider becoming one. Colin is not the only one waiting on the transplant floor. There are thousands of people all over the country that should be given a second chance. You can save a life. For right now, I am simply asking that we show Colin and Emily how much the Cape loves them and how much we support them in their time of need.

Thank you,

Erin