Adam Needs A Liver

05/04/2023

We are excited to share some really amazing news! A donor was matched to Adam, and they agreed to give him a chance at life via a live liver donation. We could not be more thrilled! The donor will forever be in our hearts, a part of this family that they helped save.

We would like to thank every single person who shared Adam’s story. All the prayers and good wishes sent our way made these last several months bearable. Thank you to the many people who created and participated in a meal train for us during the toughest times, to those who helped care for our children, to the friends who reached out to see how we were doing/how they could help, and those who helped mow our lawn.

Thank you to all those who, unable to donate their liver, instead donated blood in Adam’s name. Blood transfusions save lives and are a normal part of transplants. Blood donations are a wonderful way to help save lives with very little inconvenience to yourself. A wonderful way to show your gratitude to Adam’s donor could be to donate blood in their honor.

As Adam’s surgeon says, “If we think of the past, we get sad. If we think of the future, we are anxious. Live in the present, because it is a gift.” We are looking forward to living in the present moment, something which has been made possible through the unfathomable gift of life that Adam’s donor has bestowed on our family.

03/01/2023

4 Likes, 0 Comments - .and.me on Instagram

02/13/2023

"The greatest act of love that could ever exist." Couldn't say it better myself. What an amazing, hopeful story!

Husband DJ Toby donated part of his liver as the ultimate act of love to wife Lauren after she was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening liver disease known as P.S.C.

01/18/2023

In case you are new to Adam's story, he was diagnosed in 2015 with the disease PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis). This is a disease which causes the narrowing of the bile ducts and eventually leads to cirrhosis, necessitating a liver transplant.

Before he could get a liver transplant, Adam was unfortunately diagnosed in 2022 with bile duct cancer. The protocol for this is chemo, radiation, and then a liver transplant. Due to the nature of both his diseases, Adam must find a live liver donor in order to receive a transplant.

Adam has completed chemo and will soon begin radiation. If we do not find a donor by the time radiation is done, Adam will enter a very precarious time. If the cancer returns or spreads while he waits to find a donor he will then become completely ineligible for a transplant.

Adam is looking for a liver donor with type A or type O blood who is also between the ages of 18 and 50. A portion of the liver is taken from the donor, and then the liver regenerates both in the donor and in Adam, growing back to normal size. All medical costs are paid for by Adam's insurance.

If you are interested in being a potential donor, please fill out the form found in our pinned post and then contact Sonia Quirarte at (312) 695-1954. Let her know you are interested in being a donor for Adam Flores.

If you know you cannot be a match for Adam but would still like to help, one meaningful thing you can do (aside from spreading the word!) is to donate blood. Blood transfusions save lives and will absolutely be a part of Adam's transplant journey.

11/29/2022

On this Giving Tuesday please consider supporting these three organizations. Their research will directly impact Adam in the coming years. Even five years ago Adam's current diagnosis would have likely been a death sentence. Only through recent research was it discovered that chemo/radiation/transplant for bile duct cancer could lead to an actual chance at survival. No amount of support is too small. Just as "many hands make light work," it's true that many donations of small amounts add up to research breakthroughs that give families hope!

PSC Partners Seeking a Cure:
https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/PSCPartnersSeekingaCure/OnlineDonation.html

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation:
https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/donate

Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation:
https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/giving-to-the-cholangiocarcinoma-foundation/

Don't forget - if monetary donations are not possible for you at this time, you can always donate a gift that only costs you time but can save a life: BLOOD! Blood transfusions save lives! Consider making an appointment to donate blood and give in a different way on this Giving Tuesday: https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html

Giving The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation has been the driving force for patient support and research funding for this rare and relentless cancer since 2006. The generosity of donors has assisted us in advancing research in impactful ways and supporting patients and their families on this journey. Al...

11/23/2022

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful that Adam is (hopefully) halfway through chemo. If all goes as planned, there are less sessions ahead of him than behind him at this point. We are also thankful for the continued support of all of you.

As you gather for the holiday with family and friends, perhaps you could share Adam's story (or even this page!). Let everyone know that the sooner we are able to line up a transplant for Adam, the less time the cancer will have to return/spread once he finishes radiation.

We are searching for someone age 18-50 with blood type A or O. Many people are not even aware living liver donation is possible! It definitely is since both the original donor's liver and the piece transplanted into Adam will re-grow back to the original liver size.

Enjoy the holiday, and thank you again for keeping our spirits up!

11/16/2022

Adam has made it through the second round of chemo. Though he does have some side effects, he continues to do well. It's been great to not be in the hospital for this round!

We appreciate everyone who took time to check out their blood type and/or apply to be a potential donor. We have also heard from people who were frustrated at being the wrong blood type, out of the age range, or precluded from being a donor for other reasons. If you would still like to help, a great way to do so would be to donate blood. BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS SAVE LIVES! They have saved Adam's life in the past and will of course be a part of his transplant surgery. As we near the holiday of Thanksgiving, consider giving to others by donating blood to help those in need - perhaps your donation can help someone lucky enough to be getting their own liver transplant today.

Find out more info at: https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html

In the meantime, we continue to search for a live liver donor for Adam. Donors must have blood type A or O, be between the ages of 18-50, and be in good health. You can see our pinned post for more information on how to apply.

11/03/2022

It's been another tough week for us. Ironically, even though last week was an off week for chemo, Adam still ended up in the hospital. His immune system is extremely supressed right now, so the common cold made him sick enough to warrant a hospital stay.

We are so grateful to all the friends and family who helped or reached out over the past week. Our kind neighbors mowed the lawn, and others checked in to make sure we were okay. Even the smallest gesture makes such a difference to our family right now, so thank you.

Adam is out of the hospital and ready to begin cycle 2 of chemo. Let's keep up the fight, like him, and keep on spreading the word to find a liver donor match.

Adam needs to find a liver donor age 18-50 with blood type A or O. If you would like to be considered as a donor, please fill out the form on the pinned post and then call Vicki Garcia at (312) 695-1954. Let her know you are interested in being a donor for Adam Flores and she will give you the next steps.

10/27/2022

We were lucky enough to be able to share our story with The Patch. Please help us spread the word!

The family recently started a page to help find a donor for Adam Flores, and to educate the public on how to be a living donor.

10/21/2022

It has been a rough week. Adam was in the hospital for a few days. The good news is that he is doing better now and got out of the hospital in time for chemo session #2! (Staying on track is good, so we really are thankful he was well enough to get chemo.) Next week is an off week....and after that he will have completed his first full cycle!

Thank you to every person who had sent us well-wishes or even got tested for blood type to see if they could be a match. We appreciate everything others have done for us, and we continue to ask you to spread the word about Adam's search for a donor!

10/14/2022

First day of chemo! Adam's oncologist is a pretty cool guy. He has a very positive outlook overall for what Adam is about to go through. He always mentions that the goal here is to get to transplant and cure 2 diseases (cancer and PSC) at once. He is right, and it's good to keep our eye on the prize, but whenever he says that I cant help but think, "IF we find a donor." Help us spread the word so we can lock in Adam's match and truly give him motivation to get through these next few months!

Adam needs to find a liver donor age 18-50 with blood type A or O. If you would like to be considered as a donor, please fill out the form on the pinned post and then call Vicki Garcia at (312) 695-1954. Let her know you are interested in being a donor for Adam Flores and she will give you the next steps.

10/08/2022

Jennifer here with an update. This last week sucked. We met with a radiologist and an oncologist, both of whom explained the hellish horror Adam will endure for the next several months. People I know with cancer don't talk about this, and I understand why. I wouldn't share any of this to be honest, except for one reason:

CHEMO WILL NOT SAVE ADAM.

If we do not find a live liver donor, the next several months of hell Adam survives will be in vain. Chemo does not end this for him. The cancer will return, it will spread, and he will then be ineligible for a transplant. Adam is far braver than I am. As he does his part, let's do ours and find him a match.

Adam needs to find a liver donor age 18-50 with blood type A or O. Potential donors are thoroughly vetted - doctors take "do no harm" seriously and would not put any donor at risk. The liver regenerates and the donor will go on to have a full, normal life -- as hopefully will Adam after receiving their gift. If you would like to be considered as a donor, please fill out the form on the pinned post and then call Vicki Garcia at (312) 695-1954. Let her know you are interested in being a donor for Adam Flores and she will give you the next steps.