Help Kathleen Beat Stage IV Colon Cancer
Donation protected
We need to raise $400,000 as soon as possible to fund a live donor liver transplant surgery and related expenses for our sister, Kathleen Lyons, who is fighting stage IV colon cancer. Insurance has denied this life saving surgery, and the matter is urgent due to high risk of cancer spreading.
With the cancer already removed from her colon, Kathleen now needs the cancer removed from her liver where it has spread. As she is not a candidate for any other surgery, the liver transplant is her only option. Kathleen’s college roommate and friend, Eileen, has selflessly undergone extensive testing and is a remarkably perfect match to donate part of her liver. Insurance is our latest obstacle. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois is refusing to approve surgery to allow Eileen to donate her liver to save her good friend. Hence, Kathleen is left to fund this on her own. We are fighting for her life.
Kathleen (left) with her donor, Eileen (right).
About Kathleen
Kathleen is a daughter, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and a mother of 2 teenage daughters who all NEED her. It is heart wrenching to think of her daughters growing up without a mother, which is the hardest part of it all. She dedicated her entire professional career of 30 years as a pediatric physical therapist to caring for thousands of sick and disabled infants and children. Kathleen is a wonderful support for so many people and now, she needs help.
Kathleen with her family decorating Easter eggs.
Advocating For All
Despite repeated attempts, her insurance company has denied approval for this critical life-saving surgery. Thus, we are seeking funding for Kathleen, but also want to publicize this treatment to raise awareness for others with colon cancer who may benefit. With more awareness, hopefully insurance companies will approve these transplants and this surgery will become a standard of care.
Colon Cancer Prognosis Improved With Transplant
The prognosis for patients with stage IV colon cancer is extremely poor with only 10% of patients surviving to 5 years past diagnosis. This selective liver transplant surgery provides great promise with 60–80% of patients surviving 5 years post-surgery, providing significant longevity, improved quality of life, and in some cases, a cure.
Why A Living Donor?
Livers are truly amazing organs. Livers can regenerate within both donor and recipient in a relatively short period of time; for some folks, recovery to ‘full size’ can be within a couple of months.
Live donor liver transplant surgery is important for cancer patients because 1) they don’t qualify for a liver from the donor registry and 2) they can be well-matched with a healthy donor prior to surgery while they too are still healthy. This surgery will directly help to get cancer out of the cancer patient allowing Kathleen to be cancer-free.
What Funds Will Be Used For
Live donor liver transplant surgery is expensive as it involves two major surgeries, one for the donor and one for the recipient. Funds will be used to pay for the surgeries and related expenses. Thus, we have a fundraising goal of $400,000. Any excess funds that remain following the recovery of both Kathleen and Eileen will go to help similar patients and their families at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.
Please help our sister, Kathleen, live to see her girls graduate high school and college. Please help her share many more holidays and celebrations with her family. Please help Kathleen live!
Thank you for your generosity,
Mary Lyons
Patricia Schopen
Sheila Lyons-Sobaski
Eileen Lyons
With the cancer already removed from her colon, Kathleen now needs the cancer removed from her liver where it has spread. As she is not a candidate for any other surgery, the liver transplant is her only option. Kathleen’s college roommate and friend, Eileen, has selflessly undergone extensive testing and is a remarkably perfect match to donate part of her liver. Insurance is our latest obstacle. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois is refusing to approve surgery to allow Eileen to donate her liver to save her good friend. Hence, Kathleen is left to fund this on her own. We are fighting for her life.
Kathleen (left) with her donor, Eileen (right).About Kathleen
Kathleen is a daughter, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and a mother of 2 teenage daughters who all NEED her. It is heart wrenching to think of her daughters growing up without a mother, which is the hardest part of it all. She dedicated her entire professional career of 30 years as a pediatric physical therapist to caring for thousands of sick and disabled infants and children. Kathleen is a wonderful support for so many people and now, she needs help.
Kathleen with her family decorating Easter eggs.Advocating For All
Despite repeated attempts, her insurance company has denied approval for this critical life-saving surgery. Thus, we are seeking funding for Kathleen, but also want to publicize this treatment to raise awareness for others with colon cancer who may benefit. With more awareness, hopefully insurance companies will approve these transplants and this surgery will become a standard of care.
Colon Cancer Prognosis Improved With Transplant
The prognosis for patients with stage IV colon cancer is extremely poor with only 10% of patients surviving to 5 years past diagnosis. This selective liver transplant surgery provides great promise with 60–80% of patients surviving 5 years post-surgery, providing significant longevity, improved quality of life, and in some cases, a cure.
Why A Living Donor?
Livers are truly amazing organs. Livers can regenerate within both donor and recipient in a relatively short period of time; for some folks, recovery to ‘full size’ can be within a couple of months.
Live donor liver transplant surgery is important for cancer patients because 1) they don’t qualify for a liver from the donor registry and 2) they can be well-matched with a healthy donor prior to surgery while they too are still healthy. This surgery will directly help to get cancer out of the cancer patient allowing Kathleen to be cancer-free.
What Funds Will Be Used For
Live donor liver transplant surgery is expensive as it involves two major surgeries, one for the donor and one for the recipient. Funds will be used to pay for the surgeries and related expenses. Thus, we have a fundraising goal of $400,000. Any excess funds that remain following the recovery of both Kathleen and Eileen will go to help similar patients and their families at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.
Please help our sister, Kathleen, live to see her girls graduate high school and college. Please help her share many more holidays and celebrations with her family. Please help Kathleen live!
Thank you for your generosity,
Mary Lyons
Patricia Schopen
Sheila Lyons-Sobaski
Eileen Lyons
Organizer and beneficiary
Sheila Lyons-Sobaski
Organizer
Albion, MI
Kathleen Lyons
Beneficiary
