06/14/2024
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Some of you may already know Lisa Fen (second on the left in photo) has primary biliary cholangitis, a rare autoimmune liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, causing cirrhosis. Her liver is so sick that she’s now on the transplant list. She needs a liver from a living or deceased donor. Lisa’s medical team is encouraging her to find a living liver donor with blood type O+ or O- to donate at Toronto General Hospital. In Lisa’s case, a height of 5’4 to 5’8 or more is ideal.
A healthy person (no diabetes, cancer, kidney or heart disease) can donate a part of their liver as long as they are between 18 and 60 years old with the right blood type O+ or O-. The donor does not need to be a relative or of the same ethnicity (that matters for stem cells, not organs).
The criteria for living organ donors are different than for blood donors. If you are not eligible to donate blood, you may still be able to be a living donor.
The liver is an incredible organ; the donors will grow back in 2-3 months (6 weeks)! This surgery is more common than you might think - more than 1,000 living liver donor surgeries have been performed in Ontario at Toronto General Hospital alone. The survival rate for donors is 100%. All donors have returned to a regular lifestyle with no restrictions.
Unfortunately, there are not enough organs for everyone who needs them. Today, in Ontario, over 1,500 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. This is their only treatment option, and every 3 days someone will die because they did not get their transplant in time.
Upon finding a living donor, Lisa will be removed from the deceased donor list and everyone else eagerly waiting for a liver will move up one spot. The living donor will be saving TWO lives: Lisa’s and the person behind her on the waiting list!
About Lisa:
Lisa, age 59, from Thornhill, ON, has been battling liver disease for the past 10 years. She lives with her sister, who lovingly prepares her meals, and one of her sons, who's her primary caretaker. Although Lisa has her own apartment, her declining health makes it difficult for her to live independently. Lisa has always shown immense love and devotion to her family, having cared for her aging parents until their passing and raising her children with complete dedication. She has also maintained close, loving relationships with her nieces and nephews.
Lisa’s symptoms, including pain, extreme fatigue, brain fog, memory troubles, nausea, decreased appetite, and swelling in her legs from fluid retention, have progressively worsened, leading to liver failure. Recently, her condition has deteriorated to the point where she can no longer enjoy simple pleasures such as cooking, walking, visiting friends, or engaging in creative activities. Most of her time is now spent resting, with rare moments of feeling well enough to spend time with her family or sit outside.
Unable to work, Lisa previously ran a well-known cards and gift store on Queen Street in downtown Toronto. Despite her health challenges, she remains a devoted mother and a loving presence in the lives of her family and friends. Lisa dreams of regaining her health and returning to the activities that bring her joy, especially spending time with friends and family.
Lisa’s niece, Laura, has taken on the responsibility of searching for a donor, as Lisa’s health prevents her from doing so herself. Laura shares this heartfelt plea:
"As her niece, I am sincerely appealing for your help in spreading the word to find a suitable liver donor for Lisa. Please share this message as widely as possible. The hope is that someone, somewhere, will respond to this urgent need and give Lisa a chance at a new life. We dream of our kids growing up with their caring and loving auntie. Thank you."
We encourage everyone to help spread the word about Lisa’s urgent need for a liver donor. Please consider giving the “gift of life” by getting tested to see if you are a suitable candidate to donate a piece of your liver.
Learn more and apply to be Lisa’s Donor:
Liver transplants are performed at the Ajmera Transplant Centre at UHN, Toronto General Hospital. To learn more about living liver donation and how to apply to be Lisa’s donor, please visit:
Website: https://www.uhn.ca/Transplant/Living_Donor_Program/Pages/living_liver_donor.aspx
Donor Application:
Potential donors can apply by completing the 11-page health history form below. The form asks for the recipient’s full name (Lisa Fen) and date of birth (May 8th, 1965). Once the form is completed, it must be submitted to Toronto General Hospital by email, mail, or fax, located on the last page of the form for your convenience.
Form/Application: https://www.uhnlivingdonor.ca
The Living Liver Donor Program will contact applicants about next steps. Candidates go through a comprehensive assessment to ensure they are healthy enough to donate. Donor testing is typically done in Toronto, but potential donors can do much of the testing at local labs in your hometown.
Financial:
OHIP covers the testing, surgery, and hospital stay. For expenses like travel, food, accommodation and income replacement, there is a reimbursement program through Trillium Gift of Life Network for up to $5,500. They will reimburse expenses even if you get part-way through the screening process and change your mind or aren’t accepted. You can also submit receipts for reimbursement throughout the process and don’t need to wait until after the surgery. Visit: https://www.giftoflife.on.ca/en/transplant.htm
Brocher:https://www.giftoflife.on.ca/resources/pdf/transplant/PRELOD_Brochure_April_2023.pdf
Application:https://www.giftoflife.on.ca/resources/pdf/transplant/Post_April_1_2023_PRELOD_Application_Form.pdf
If you’d like to ask the experts questions about becoming a living liver donor, contact the Centre for Living Organ Donation at UHN:
Phone #: (416) 340-4800 ext. 6581
Email: livingdonorliver@uhn.ca
The UHN Centre for Living Donation hosts a monthly online information session for Potential Living Liver Donors. The next ones are on Tuesday, June 25, 12-1 pm, then July 23rd, 12-1 pm: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/information-for-potential-living-liver-donors-tickets-104537544610?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1eyPVcC5b-Ri5p9sfuvVASTCRH6vzX1bZ3Oh420lAwpd5qi5zt_mxT7cw_aem_Ab0t33Z73kFqJ5rFXvo4rR_0HgcJ7mahayO2PN8GdnkWpFrClerfgROPWTA3ObNZbEv351Mot8k8orWl9tCjb8q0
Please share this with anyone you know who might be willing to help. We will need someone brave and generous to give the gift of life. After all, Great Actions Leave a Mark! Thank you so much to anyone who applies and spreads the word. We are all deeply grateful to you.
- Lisa & Family & Campaign Team
