Support Eddie's Fight Against Rare Liver Disease

Hello, I’m Vanessa Harris, a Registered Nurse, and my nephew, Dakota Coppage, is a Software Engineer. Our father and grandfather, Eddie Burgess, is our hero. A retired USAF pilot, retired UPS pilot, and retired corporate pilot, Eddie has dedicated his life to service and excellence. He grew up in Elizabethtown, KY, and graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1965. After high school, he jokes that he “crammed four years of college into six,” spending two years at a local community college before completing his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky. While serving in the Air Force, he also earned a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science. He is a strong man and puts all of his heart into everything he sets his mind to. While in pilot training in the USAF, he graduated as the top pilot in his class and received numerous awards including "Best Formation Pilot," "Best T-37 Pilot," and "Highest Academic Grade Average Award." His achievements are both motivating and inspirational, and he empowers everyone he encounters, instilling in them the confidence and support needed to become the best version of themselves.

Eddie is not only brilliant but kind, loving, and always there for his family and others. He has been deeply involved in his community, serving as Treasurer on the Elizabethtown Airport Board of Directors, a position appointed by the Mayor and City Council. He was a member of the Heart of Kentucky Chorus until a medical condition took his voice, and he has been a devoted member of American Legion Post 113 in Elizabethtown for 50 years.

Throughout his USAF career, Eddie spent much of his time in Saudi Arabia flying the E-3 AWACS and training Saudi pilots. He was even honored to be the lead pilot for the King of Saudi Arabia during an air show. Later, as a corporate jet pilot, Eddie had the privilege of flying the coaches of the UK, U of L, and IU sports teams, as well as numerous country music stars.

In 2020, Eddie contracted COVID-19 and seemed to recover. However, in early 2021, after receiving both doses of the COVID vaccine, he began experiencing concerning symptoms, including elevated liver enzymes. After several doctor visits and an MRI, it was discovered that he had a blockage in his bile ducts. He was referred to a GI doctor at UL Health, where a stent was placed, but the situation worsened. In 2022, Eddie was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a rare and progressive liver disease that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, leading to cirrhosis and liver failure. There is no cure for PSC other than a liver transplant.

Only one in 10,000 people is diagnosed with PSC annually. Since his diagnosis, Eddie has lost 50 pounds and now requires weekly hospital visits to drain 8 to 10 liters of fluid from his abdomen and lungs. His energy and strength have significantly diminished, but he continues to fight for his quality of life.

Eddie has been in and out of the hospital many times and is no longer able to work. Although he has good retirement income, his savings have been entirely depleted by the cost of medical care, and he now faces financial hardship. He hopes to be placed on a transplant list soon, but the process will require multiple hospital visits, travel, and accommodations in another state—further straining his already fragile financial situation. He has already traveled to other states for care due to Kentucky's mandatory age limit for transplants.

Eddie doesn’t deserve this. No one deserves an illness that takes such a toll—emotionally, physically, and financially. He has always been the rock of our family, a constant source of love and support for us and many others. Now, we are asking for your help to take care of him in his time of need.

Thank you for taking the time to read Eddie’s story. If you are able, we would be so grateful for any donation you can offer. Your support means the world to us.

All donations will aid in:

1. Treatment and travel expenses

2. Eddies basic needs

3. Family's living expenses

4. Uncovered medical costs

5. Support for caregivers and others aiding in Eddies fight.