David Is Getting a New Liver

Hey Everyone,

We wanted to share this with everyone in case you would like to help us with a project. Brett’s dad and my father-in-law, David Jackson is going to be undergoing a living donor liver transplant at the beginning of March, and his son Cameron is going to be his donor. David has battled auto-immune diseases called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Ulcerative Colitis for over 30 years, and after years of medications, multiple surgeries while a patrolman for the NC State Highway Patrol, and pushing through, the doctors have finally said he the only next step is liver transplant. He has been receiving amazing care at Duke University Hospital and this is where his transplant will occur. David, and his wife Kristi, will be required to stay close to the hospital for over a month after the transplant so they can have frequent appointments and labs drawn to ensure the transplant is successful. Although insurance will cover some of the costs related to lodging and gas, it won’t cover food and other things necessary for their extended stay in Durham. That is where we are hoping you can help us get some additional support. The family was very fortunate that they didn’t need to look far to find a match to share a portion of his liver with David. His son, Cameron, is a match and will be donating a part of his liver to his Dad. But, even though they didn’t need to go far for a match, we are hoping that the farther we can reach for others’ help in other ways, the easier we can make this difficult time for this wonderful family. I have been so blessed to have joined this family, and want to show them how much love and support they have during this long awaited time. If you know David and Kristi, you know they always work so hard to help everyone around them, and do whatever they can to pitch in and help. They would never ask, but during times like this, every little bit: every meal Kristi can get at the hospital while with David, or meal they can have delivered so David can just relax and recover after being discharged while Kristi is busy caring for him and managing tax season for all her clients, or supplies to make their recovery easier, or to help with the work around the house and yard until David is back in the saddle on his mower will be a huge help. If you’ve read this far, thank you so much, and if you feel that you are in a place to help this amazing man and family, who have dedicated their lives to the service of others, from the bottom of our hearts, we are so grateful. The other part of this is that we want to put together a scrapbook full of cards, letters, and messages from everyone sending him love and support during this difficult time. The plan is to compile all of them in a book to give him to read as he recovers, so please take a few minutes to write an email ([email redacted]), mail a card, or send a message via the gofundme page that will be printed out for the book, and share this post so we can reach everyone who might like to help. Thank you again and we can’t wait to hear from you and show David and family everyone that is in his corner cheering him on.

 

Love and Best Wishes,

Brett and Shannon Jackson
 

David and his son, Cameron, at Cameron's wedding

David holding his granddaughter, Ellie


We would also encourage everyone to consider being an organ donor and sharing with your family if that is your wish. There are so many people who need the life-saving gift of an organ, whether it be a liver, heart, kidney, lungs, etc. and it is such an amazing gift and second lease on life to the recipient and their family. If you choose to give this gift of life to others, should the circumstances arise either as a living donor, like Cameron, or in the event of your passing, you are able to help others and potentially benefit multiple people.  For more information we encourage you to visit http://www.donatelife.net and learn more and become a donor.