Steve Griffith's Liver Transplant

Hello, my name is Tim Howington. Steve and Denise Griffith are dear friends of mine and many of you may know them. Steve is fighting for his life and is in need of a liver transplant. The cost of this is $230,000. It is hard to imagine what I would do in a situation like he is in- the medical part is difficult enough, but the financial challenges are daunting. We are trying to rally his friends and our friends to consider help this family out financially in a desperate time. Would you consider giving to this campaign? Would you consider sharing this fundraiser?

The beauty of crowdfunding is that you never know who will be motivated to give. Even last week a friend of mine gave a $1000 to a crowdfunding event because even though she didn't know the family she cared for the cause. Don't underestimate how sharing this to your network will raise critical resources for this family?

About Steve’s Medical Condition:

As many of you know, Steve was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune liver disease in January of this year called Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.

This Spring he worked hard to make lifestyle changes, improve exercise routines, and increase rhythms of rest to regain health. In June, his blood work was the healthiest it had been in a year, but after a trip to Uganda he started getting really sick after contracting two bacterial infections. He had to fight them with three of the strongest oral antibiotics possible, which created ulcers and terrible pain and bloating in his intestines.

Simultaneously, his liver began to be taxed and started a downward spiral. He’s had his abdomen drained multiple times a week, removing 3-10 liters of fluid each time. Unfortunately, this was a sign of advanced disease, which led to a liver specialist recommending that he move toward having a liver transplant sooner rather than later. Over the last two months, Steve has moved forward in the evaluation process to be put on a transplant list with both Cleveland clinic and Mayo clinic. All the while symptoms have increased in severity.

This week (mid October) Steve will undergo a TIPS procedure at Cleveland Clinic, which will help with the symptoms he’s been experiencing. One potential risk is that the procedure could put additional strain on his liver, which could increase the urgency of a liver transplant.

Depending on meeting the criteria of Cleveland Clinic or Mayo Clinic, it could take 2-5 months for a transplant. Our desire is to have the surgery and start recovery sooner than later. A transplant is major surgery and the first year is usually very difficult. However, after that year, if all goes well, he should move back to a much healthier situation.

How the Funds will be used:

1) To defray medical cost- The Griffiths do have health insurance but there are a lot of costs connected to a procedure like this.

2) To provide personal assistance with their regular bills. The lost income alone during this time is challenging. Steve has been and will continue to be limited in what he is able to do professionally (especially after the transplant). Denise goes with Steve to all his medical activities- which are a lot and will be more as we progress. She is unable to work during those times.

3) To provide for expenses related to travel and housing. For example, at some point they will get the call for the transplant, they will need to drop everything and get to the hospital ASAP (because of the viability of the new liver). And then after the transplant they will need to stay near the hospital for an extended time in case something goes wrong. This requires getting housing, etc for these extended stays.

Timeline:

We are hoping to raise at least half of this by end of February 2024. They don't know when the transplant will happen, but expenses are happening now. Thanks for considering this opportunity.

Need a tax-deductible receipt?

Bless the Children Ministries is running a Fundraiser for the Griffiths as well. Their fundraiser will focus on the medical expenses and since they are a 501c3 they are able to issue receipts. We are including those totals in this fundraiser so that we can all be clear about where we are in the overall process. All the money is available to Steve and Denise in this crisis so there is no best place to give. Whatever is best for you. Click HERE for the link.