Dear Church Family,
 

We are writing this letter because Bob's liver condition has progressed over the last
several months, and he has been evaluated for a liver transplant. As many of you are
aware, Bob has had liver disease for quite some time, but it has become more severe
over the last few months. He has been admitted to the hospital three times since the
beginning of the year, and his overall quality-of-life has diminished. He experiences
frequent confusion, discomfort and has much less energy and strength.

The liver transplant team at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital (Penn) recently
evaluated him. Although he has been sick, his liver and kidney numbers, which
determine his place on the waitlist, are not very high. This is a blessing and a curse.
While he is sick and needs a transplant, his place on the waitlist is still quite low.
In speaking with his doctors, his best option for a transplant any time soon is to
receive a transplant from a living donor. The liver’s amazing ability to regenerate
means that healthy, compatible living donors can give a portion of their organ to a
person in need. Then the donor’s liver grows back to its full size within months and
the recipient’s new liver grows as needed.

In short, to be a living liver donor, someone just needs to be 21-65, healthy, and a
compatible blood type to Bob (in this case B or 0, either positive or negative). The
first step to becoming a living donor would be to fill out this health-screening
questionnaire.

​

Please know that we are only writing this letter because of Bob's need, and fully

recognize that asking someone to consider being a living liver donor is a

significant request.

The team at Penn is able to answer any and all questions if you might be interested.

Our point of contact is:

​

Linda Wood, RN, BSN, Liver Transplant Program
LivingLiverDoner@uphs.upenn.edu  215.349.8220
 

We are sending this letter, rather than speaking to you in person, because we realize
how uncomfortable the conversation could be if we personally asked any of you to
be a donor. This is a lot to ask anyone, and we understand if it is just too much.
 

Thank you,
Bob & Jenine Gornicz