My Dad’s Fight:

My dad is a fighter, and he has been his entire life. When he was just 23 years old, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C after receiving a contaminated blood transfusion. At the time, there was no cure. He began a long and difficult medical journey, undergoing his first experimental treatment in Charlotte for 52 weeks. Sadly, it failed. Undeterred, he went on to try three more experimental treatments at UNC, all of which were unsuccessful. Then, after years of battling, he started a fourth treatment, and it worked. He was finally cured of Hepatitis C. But his fight was not over.

As a result of the treatment, my dad developed stage 3 lymphoma. He went through 18 grueling weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. Thankfully, he beat the cancer, and it has not returned. Just a few years ago, tragedy struck again. My dad was hit by an impaired driver in a stolen car. He was hospitalized for nearly a year, once again fighting for his life. Following the accident, he underwent seven back surgeries to help him recover. Then, over Christmas, he had to undergo another serious medical procedure to have a pacemaker implanted to help regulate his heart.

UPDATE:

Most recently, my dad received a liver transplant and a heart procedure at MUSC in Charleston. He is currently stable, but complications following surgery caused him to go into cardiac arrest, and his lungs and kidneys stopped working. Because of this, we have had to remain in Charleston much longer than anticipated while he continues to fight and recover.

The cost of living in Charleston is extremely high, and on top of that, we are having to pay for daily parking just to be able to see him. The financial strain is overwhelming during an already heartbreaking time.

Anything you are able to give, no matter how small, will help ease the burden and allow us to stay by his side while he continues this fight. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing and keeping our family in your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and kindness.