Support Marci's Fight for a New Liver

Hello all, this is Celina, Maricela’s (Marci) sister. As some of you may know, in late 2007, Marci was diagnosed with liver disease that resulted from an undiagnosed autoimmune condition.

Around 2011, I was in town visiting for her youngest daughter’s birthday. The day before the birthday party, Marci came home from work, not looking well. In true Marci fashion, stubborn as an ox, she didn’t want to go to the hospital and insisted she was fine. Long story short, she ended up in a medically-induced coma and was life-flighted to Baylor-St Luke’s Hospital for an emergency TIPS procedure that saved her life.

That moment was so surreal. It left an indelible mark on her life and the lives of her immediate family members. We were forever changed.

As of recent, the disease has rapidly progressed. Marci is now at end-stage liver disease and is currently on a liver transplant list at Baylor-St Luke’s Medical Center in Houston. Without a transplant her condition is terminal.

This year, Marci has been hospitalized numerous times due to complications from her liver disease as well as to remove a malignant tumor near the bridge of her nose.

Because of her deteriorating health, Marci now needs continuous care and is no longer able to do many things, such as drive a vehicle or work as a paraprofessional, a job she held for more than 18 years at Pasadena ISD.

Not being able to work has caused Marci to deplete any savings she had, and she is no longer able to pay for her basic living expenses, such as rent and medications.

At this time, she is pending approval for disability retirement, which if approved, will not be enough to cover her rent, much less her medications. She is also awaiting approval for Medicaid benefits. We are hopeful the approval for both is sooner than later, and that we can get her to a point where she can remain as independent as possible.

Myself and Marci’s daughters are doing everything we can to help her, but the financial burden is weighing heavy on our family. Any donation to assist with Marci’s essential expenses is greatly appreciated.

We thank you for your kindness, the love you have for Marci, and for being a witness to her life.