Support Jill’s Whitley’s Liver Transplant

Jillienne Whitley was once described by a former colleague as " a joyful noise." She is feisty, funny, fierce. She is a mom first, and her kids are the center of her universe the way she is the center of mine. I could write pages about how amazing and generous she is, but I'm numb, and I'm out of words.

On January 23, Jill was admitted to Emory St. Joseph's Hospital after a fall. We quickly determined the fall was the symptom of a larger problem- her liver and kidneys were failing. By the next day, she was on a ventilator and dialysis. She remains on those machines at this time, and we're praying they give her body a break so she can heal... but it is touch and go. There is a potential plan to medivac her to Emory Midtown to see a specialist, but we're still waiting for a bed to open up.

So many of you have been lovely enough to ask how they could help, and if we needed anything. While Jill's employer has been super supportive, she's exhausted her PTO, and we're waiting on her short term disability to be approved. In the interim, I want to do everything possible to support her sweet, sensitive daughter Millie, who is 12, and her nerdy, crazy smart son, Henry, who is 17.

Those of you who know Jill and I closely know that we don't like to ask for help. We would rather cut off a toe than be inconvenient. Jill is fiercely independent, and does an amazing job of supporting her kids, but right now, she just can't. She needs to focus on healing, and her full-time job is to fight for her life.

If you find it in you heart or soul to help, I just want to make sure her kids are fully supported and getting everything they need. Henry is headed off to Georgia Southern in the fall, and we have to keep Millie in an endless supply of books- the creepier, the better. Any assistance we can get is so appreciated.

We also need your prayers. I know Jill means so much to so many, so send your love and grace this way. Love your people hard. Squeeze your babies. Share your gratitude. Find joy in the little things. Everything can change in an instant.