George Thurm Liver Transplant & Recovery

We are asking for your support with my sister and her family during an incredibly difficult time.

On October 28, 2023, George Owen came into this world, joining his parents Christina and Mike, and 2 year old brother Charlie. He was a beautiful, happy, and seemingly healthy baby boy. However within the first few days of life, they began noticing signs his liver was not working correctly. Christina and Mike sought the expert care of doctors at CHOP in Philadelphia to determine the cause, however never came up with an answer. He was ultimately diagnosed with idiopathic liver disease. They were told “sometimes these issues resolve on their own, however sometimes they do worsen”, and they continued to monitor his bloodwork. Over time, George began showing some progress and his liver seemed to be moving in the right direction — we were all so hopeful.

A few weeks ago, George’s body took a turn. He quickly began going into liver failure, fighting for his life. He was admitted to CHOP PICU and placed on multiple medications to support his liver. Unfortunately, it was not enough and the toxins continued to build within his body. It was clear the only thing that could help him would be a liver transplant. During this time, George suffered from hepatic encephalopathy, which is extensive swelling of the brain. He was given a breathing tube and placed on continuous dialysis to further support his body. The need for a liver transplant became even more urgent. George was registered on the transplant list, though they feared waiting for a deceased donor could take longer than he had. Through the grace of God, Mike was quickly matched and will be donating a portion of his liver to George. The two of them will be going in for surgery Thursday morning, April 25th.

George has a long recovery ahead of him with many unknowns. Doctors are not certain to what degree of impact the swelling has injured his brain. The family is prepared for many weeks in the hospital, followed by months of therapy. Recovery time for Mike will be 6-8 weeks. Mike has been a full-time law student for the past 2 years, while Christina was working as a physical therapist. However, after recognizing George’s medical needs, she was not able to return to work and has been dedicating her time to taking care of George (and Charlie too!). We are asking for donations, whatever it may be, to alleviate the burden of medical bills and expenses Mike and Christina are faced with while caring for George’s complex needs.

Please help us spread the word about George’s story and share this campaign with your friends and family. This family has witnessed the power of people coming together, in prayer, and in support of our precious baby, George Owen. Your support means everything, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and generosity.