Roisin's Transplant Surgery
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
As many of you know, Roisin Brannigan over the past few months has been going through liver failure related to Cystic Fibrosis. For quite a while we did not know what to do or what was going on. Between the end of spring and all summer Roisin was quite ill, with no diagnosis or thought given to it being liver related. It was only when Roisin and her sister were away that it came up as a potential cause.
Roisin was admitted to St. Michael’s Hospital on September 13th, 2016 through a routine appointment with the Cystic Fibrosis team. She spent over 50 days in their care before being transferred to Toronto General Hospital. Throughout her lengthy stay at St. Michael’s, Roisin had hoped to be sent home to wait for a liver transplant but with her liver levels being dangerous and unstable, it was the safest place for her, especially since each week she felt worse and got weaker.
Roisin was placed on the liver transplant list but that could have taken months if not longer. Fortunately, on Friday, October 28th, 2016, we got the news that among the many brave people who had come forward, a living donor had been approved for Roisin. This person, although very well known to us, has wished to remain anonymous to the public for now.
There was a sigh of relief for everyone including Roisin, but it was also terrifying as it meant a major surgery for both her and her donor. However their was no other option open to Roisin as she critically ill and on November 7th, 2016, Roisin and her donor had the day long surgery. It went well for both but there is still a long time needed for both of them to heal healing and to rebuild their strength after this ordeal.
With the help and support of all of our friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers we have been able to get her through to this point. Roisin is very lucky she was able to receive a liver transplant so quickly. Although she is still seriously ill, at least there is away forward which will allow her to go back to being one of the most kind, generous and sincere people out there.
It has been one of the most difficult and terrifying times for our family and others who love Roisin and although we have made it to this point, there is still a long road ahead for Roisin and everyone else involved. That is why we have created this gofundme campaign.
Over the next year in particular there will many extra expenses, not covered by insurance while Roisin goes through the healing process.
While we fully expect and accept that as a family we will have significant financial costs over the next months and year, this campaign is specifically to raise money for the following:
- Any possible non-insured medication expenses for Roisin and her donor
- Any costs, including loss of income, Roisin’s donor may have. Taking on the role that she did as we do not want to see her suffer financial loss on top of the physical pain she has endured
- A portion of the hospital related expenses such as parking, gas, etc. which have been incurred over the last two months and will continue as Roisin will have regular and frequent follow-up visits to the hospital
- If possible, to cover part of the lost income for Roisin who will not be able to work for three to four months and hopes to return to university in the Fall, and also for her caregivers who are taking unpaid leaves of absences form their jobs.
After a year has passed, any extra funds left not needed for Roisin’s future medication/care will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis research at St. Michaels’s Hospital and the Toronto General Hospital Liver Transplant Program, both of which are such great causes connected Roisin’s illnesses.
Roisin is, beyond a doubt, one of the most caring and giving people out there. She devotes so much of her time to others. It is testimony to the way Roisin is that so many people applied to be her living donor in response to our appeal for help.
Liver failure is not something to be expected at the age of 22, and is relativity rare with Cystic Fibrosis. All Roisin hopes for is to be able to continue to grow and flourish in her life, and now having received a transplant she will get the opportunity to do so.
Any donation to this campaign will help ease the costs of this whole ordeal. (Alternatively you could donate to St. Michael’s Cystic Fibrosis Program or Toronto General Hospital Liver Transplant Program as both hospitals have done so much for Roisin.)
We appreciate all the love and support we have received during this time. It means the world to all of us.
- The Brannigan’s
As many of you know, Roisin Brannigan over the past few months has been going through liver failure related to Cystic Fibrosis. For quite a while we did not know what to do or what was going on. Between the end of spring and all summer Roisin was quite ill, with no diagnosis or thought given to it being liver related. It was only when Roisin and her sister were away that it came up as a potential cause.
Roisin was admitted to St. Michael’s Hospital on September 13th, 2016 through a routine appointment with the Cystic Fibrosis team. She spent over 50 days in their care before being transferred to Toronto General Hospital. Throughout her lengthy stay at St. Michael’s, Roisin had hoped to be sent home to wait for a liver transplant but with her liver levels being dangerous and unstable, it was the safest place for her, especially since each week she felt worse and got weaker.
Roisin was placed on the liver transplant list but that could have taken months if not longer. Fortunately, on Friday, October 28th, 2016, we got the news that among the many brave people who had come forward, a living donor had been approved for Roisin. This person, although very well known to us, has wished to remain anonymous to the public for now.
There was a sigh of relief for everyone including Roisin, but it was also terrifying as it meant a major surgery for both her and her donor. However their was no other option open to Roisin as she critically ill and on November 7th, 2016, Roisin and her donor had the day long surgery. It went well for both but there is still a long time needed for both of them to heal healing and to rebuild their strength after this ordeal.
With the help and support of all of our friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers we have been able to get her through to this point. Roisin is very lucky she was able to receive a liver transplant so quickly. Although she is still seriously ill, at least there is away forward which will allow her to go back to being one of the most kind, generous and sincere people out there.
It has been one of the most difficult and terrifying times for our family and others who love Roisin and although we have made it to this point, there is still a long road ahead for Roisin and everyone else involved. That is why we have created this gofundme campaign.
Over the next year in particular there will many extra expenses, not covered by insurance while Roisin goes through the healing process.
While we fully expect and accept that as a family we will have significant financial costs over the next months and year, this campaign is specifically to raise money for the following:
- Any possible non-insured medication expenses for Roisin and her donor
- Any costs, including loss of income, Roisin’s donor may have. Taking on the role that she did as we do not want to see her suffer financial loss on top of the physical pain she has endured
- A portion of the hospital related expenses such as parking, gas, etc. which have been incurred over the last two months and will continue as Roisin will have regular and frequent follow-up visits to the hospital
- If possible, to cover part of the lost income for Roisin who will not be able to work for three to four months and hopes to return to university in the Fall, and also for her caregivers who are taking unpaid leaves of absences form their jobs.
After a year has passed, any extra funds left not needed for Roisin’s future medication/care will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis research at St. Michaels’s Hospital and the Toronto General Hospital Liver Transplant Program, both of which are such great causes connected Roisin’s illnesses.
Roisin is, beyond a doubt, one of the most caring and giving people out there. She devotes so much of her time to others. It is testimony to the way Roisin is that so many people applied to be her living donor in response to our appeal for help.
Liver failure is not something to be expected at the age of 22, and is relativity rare with Cystic Fibrosis. All Roisin hopes for is to be able to continue to grow and flourish in her life, and now having received a transplant she will get the opportunity to do so.
Any donation to this campaign will help ease the costs of this whole ordeal. (Alternatively you could donate to St. Michael’s Cystic Fibrosis Program or Toronto General Hospital Liver Transplant Program as both hospitals have done so much for Roisin.)
We appreciate all the love and support we have received during this time. It means the world to all of us.
- The Brannigan’s
Organizer
Siobhan Brannigan
Organizer
Brampton, ON
