Help Rusty Rutley Fight Liver Disease

A History of Helping Others

Rusty has always made volunteering and helping others a focus in his life. For over 25 years Rusty has dedicated time and energy to charitable relief work, construction projects, and educational programs. Being a man of faith, he has also volunteered much time and energy to teach others about the Bible. Anyone who knows Rusty knows that he is always ready to provide a loving word of support, a funny joke, and a good story to lift your spirits. Rusty and his wife Becky have kept their life simple so that they could help others. However, now they could use our help.

Medical Complications

Starting in August of 1998, Rusty began suffering from multiple auto-immune disorders. These medical complications slowed Rusty down, having to deal with constant physical pain and flare-ups. But he was able to deal with these complications and continued to live a normal life.

This changed though during the pandemic. After consulting with his doctor about his pre-existing auto-immune disorders, Rusty was encouraged to get vaccinated for Covid-19. After the first vaccination in March 2021, Rusty’s health immediately started to deteriorate. His pain and flare-ups increased. He became lethargic and his breathing labored. His mobility was also affected, so much so that he needed assistance with everyday activities. Due to his health, he could no longer work and needed full-time caregiving. Over time his symptoms increased in severity and he began to retain fluids and show other symptoms of liver disease.

In December 2021 Rusty and Becky relocated from New York to Arizona to reduce monthly expenses and for a warmer climate in hopes of a faster recovery. Unfortunately, his condition has only worsened over time. In November 2022, Rusty required hospitalization. This began a deeper search by the doctors for the root cause behind his declining health. In February 2023, Rusty could no longer walk, which required a second hospitalization. At that time he was given the diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis End Stage Liver Disease (NASH-ESLD).

Rusty now requires weekly hospital visits for treatment and has recently required a third hospitalization. He has also been prescribed multiple medications and supplements and has been placed on a restrictive diet.

Help Needed

This ordeal has exhausted Rusty and Becky’s life savings. In their current condition, both Rusty and Becky are unable to work. Medicaid is helping with some of the medical costs but as we all know insurance does not cover all expenses. Donations will go towards helping cover basic necessities-of-life costs like rent, food, and transportation back and forth from the hospital. All donations will go towards helping Rusty work to regain his health and fight this debilitating disease.

Any help would be deeply appreciated even if it is just including Rusty and Becky in your prayers. Feel free to keep up to date with this page as updates will be provided regularly as his treatment progresses.