Journey for a Miracle
Donation protected
Hello Dear Family and Friends,
My family and I are finding it necessary to begin fundraising for assistance with our next leg of Allison’s “Journey For a Miracle”. Please see Allison’s message at the bottom of this page where she explains more about her journey.
It has been determined Allison requires an intestinal/pancreas transplant. This type of transplant is rare and not offered at her hospital, Johns Hopkins. Out of the approximately 8 hospitals in the country that offer this, Allison has chosen the University of Alabama Hospital/Birmingham transplant program where she will have this done. We are ever hopeful and prayerful this surgery will end Allison’s health struggles as she knows them now, give her the opportunity to live pain-free and a chance to experience a new normal for the first time in so very long. Without this surgery, life will continue for her as it has been and only continue to worsen over time.
During our long journey we have had thousands of requests from others asking how they could help, and our response was always the same - please just pray! That was the best gift and best source of help at the time. However, as we enter this next leg of Allison’s journey we find ourselves in need of some financial assistance - if possible. The expenses we will incur during this 12 to 18+ month relocation will be staggering. We will be maintaining two homes during this time and our family will be spending much time traveling to Alabama to provide support and help with caregiving.
I am inviting you to join us on this journey by helping us reach our financial goals as we support Allison during her fight for a new life, new hope, new dreams and an end to illness as she knows it.
We are fundraising to help cover expenses which include relocation costs, rent, utilities, travel costs, hospital parking, hospital meals as well as the numerous other expenses related to her transplant care. If you feel so inclined to make a donation, please know there is no amount too small; any amount you can donate will be of great benefit. As a note - these donations are not tax deductible.
If you are not able to contribute financially, please know your prayers will be much needed and equally appreciated.
Throughout Allison’s illness she has remained upbeat and positive. Rarely will you find her without a smile to give and a laugh to share. She has been a constant source of inspiration to all she comes in contact with. She has become an active and busy quilter sharing her talents with many. She volunteers with the National Ski Patrol as a first responder, and this is the love of her life. And, of course, she has a four-footed love in her life - her kitty Max :)
Thank you all for your unwavering support over the past years and the years ahead.
God Bless,
Eileen, Christine, Laura and Matthew Sarver
___________________________________________
FROM ALLISON
Hello All,
When I sit to write this letter, I find at first that I am speechless. I think of all the different people I have met along the way; the ones who have been walking this journey with me from the very beginning to the people who have joined along the way, to the ones who are starting with me now. How do I begin to sum up such a story?
This medical awakening began 6 years ago with what was thought to be just pancreatic problems. Life as I knew it completely turned around by three words, “you have pancreatitis.” This became a chronic and aggressive problem that lead to a pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant. My story may seem overwhelming, but I have had so many wins along the way and this surgery was one of them. It has been a huge success, but is often overshadowed by the illness that followed. I will forever be thankful to Johns Hopkins for doing all that they could to restore my health and get me back to normal. Normal is this ever changing goal for me and always seems to be just beyond my reach; but I can feel I am getting closer.
We soon realized that my intestines were becoming a tricky little problem also. In time the nature of my illness progressed, and I now suffer from chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction and global dysmotility. The muscles of my intestine do not function properly causing my gut to act as if it is blocked. My team of doctors have been doing all they can to help me through 12 abdominal surgeries, the removal of most of my digestive system, multiple port placements, blood clots, infections, you name it; the list goes on and on. I now have bowel failure and the last, best option presented to me is an intestinal transplant.
Life has been an adventure, and a new one is about to begin. My family and I have been visiting and exploring the various transplant centers this past year and have decided upon UAB at Birmingham. In order to be placed on the waitlist for organs I will need to be within 4-6 hours of the hospital at all times, thus requiring me to move to Alabama while I wait.
I will need what is called a modified multi-visceral transplant and will await a small bowel, pancreas, large bowel and possibly a piece of stomach from a donor. As many know, there is not any set timeline for when a match will be made; it could be hours, days, weeks or months. The recovery process for this is quite extensive and could require me to remain in Alabama anywhere from 6 months to one year post-transplant as they tell me bowels require the longest amount of recovery. This is a recovery that I cannot and will not be allowed to do alone. In fact, they will not even transplant me if I do not have 100%, 24-hour care for the first few months post op.
My journey all along has never been one just about me, but rather one which has impacted all the people in my life, especially my family. I have never been good at asking for help, but I find myself at this time in need of some assistance by supporting me and the extra financial burden that will be placed upon my family.
I have not had the easiest path, but I can see all the blessings that I have been given along the way. One of the greatest blessings is my family; they never stop, they never let me go, never let me down and they step up at every challenge presented to me. This next challenge, while there is so, so much to gain, will also be a period of great difficulty.
Thank you so much to everyone for loving me, coaching me, encouraging me to pursue my dreams and passions, for picking me up when I fall and for sharing and celebrating with me in my wins. Thank you for all the prayers, so many prayers! As I enter this new phase I am excited. Everyone is hopeful and encouraged by the new opportunities this transplant can offer me.
I strongly ask if you are not registered to be an organ donor, please consider doing so. It can be the greatest gift you could ever give someone. https://www.donatelife.net
I love you all!
Allison
My family and I are finding it necessary to begin fundraising for assistance with our next leg of Allison’s “Journey For a Miracle”. Please see Allison’s message at the bottom of this page where she explains more about her journey.
It has been determined Allison requires an intestinal/pancreas transplant. This type of transplant is rare and not offered at her hospital, Johns Hopkins. Out of the approximately 8 hospitals in the country that offer this, Allison has chosen the University of Alabama Hospital/Birmingham transplant program where she will have this done. We are ever hopeful and prayerful this surgery will end Allison’s health struggles as she knows them now, give her the opportunity to live pain-free and a chance to experience a new normal for the first time in so very long. Without this surgery, life will continue for her as it has been and only continue to worsen over time.
During our long journey we have had thousands of requests from others asking how they could help, and our response was always the same - please just pray! That was the best gift and best source of help at the time. However, as we enter this next leg of Allison’s journey we find ourselves in need of some financial assistance - if possible. The expenses we will incur during this 12 to 18+ month relocation will be staggering. We will be maintaining two homes during this time and our family will be spending much time traveling to Alabama to provide support and help with caregiving.
I am inviting you to join us on this journey by helping us reach our financial goals as we support Allison during her fight for a new life, new hope, new dreams and an end to illness as she knows it.
We are fundraising to help cover expenses which include relocation costs, rent, utilities, travel costs, hospital parking, hospital meals as well as the numerous other expenses related to her transplant care. If you feel so inclined to make a donation, please know there is no amount too small; any amount you can donate will be of great benefit. As a note - these donations are not tax deductible.
If you are not able to contribute financially, please know your prayers will be much needed and equally appreciated.
Throughout Allison’s illness she has remained upbeat and positive. Rarely will you find her without a smile to give and a laugh to share. She has been a constant source of inspiration to all she comes in contact with. She has become an active and busy quilter sharing her talents with many. She volunteers with the National Ski Patrol as a first responder, and this is the love of her life. And, of course, she has a four-footed love in her life - her kitty Max :)
Thank you all for your unwavering support over the past years and the years ahead.
God Bless,
Eileen, Christine, Laura and Matthew Sarver
___________________________________________
FROM ALLISON
Hello All,
When I sit to write this letter, I find at first that I am speechless. I think of all the different people I have met along the way; the ones who have been walking this journey with me from the very beginning to the people who have joined along the way, to the ones who are starting with me now. How do I begin to sum up such a story?
This medical awakening began 6 years ago with what was thought to be just pancreatic problems. Life as I knew it completely turned around by three words, “you have pancreatitis.” This became a chronic and aggressive problem that lead to a pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant. My story may seem overwhelming, but I have had so many wins along the way and this surgery was one of them. It has been a huge success, but is often overshadowed by the illness that followed. I will forever be thankful to Johns Hopkins for doing all that they could to restore my health and get me back to normal. Normal is this ever changing goal for me and always seems to be just beyond my reach; but I can feel I am getting closer.
We soon realized that my intestines were becoming a tricky little problem also. In time the nature of my illness progressed, and I now suffer from chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction and global dysmotility. The muscles of my intestine do not function properly causing my gut to act as if it is blocked. My team of doctors have been doing all they can to help me through 12 abdominal surgeries, the removal of most of my digestive system, multiple port placements, blood clots, infections, you name it; the list goes on and on. I now have bowel failure and the last, best option presented to me is an intestinal transplant.
Life has been an adventure, and a new one is about to begin. My family and I have been visiting and exploring the various transplant centers this past year and have decided upon UAB at Birmingham. In order to be placed on the waitlist for organs I will need to be within 4-6 hours of the hospital at all times, thus requiring me to move to Alabama while I wait.
I will need what is called a modified multi-visceral transplant and will await a small bowel, pancreas, large bowel and possibly a piece of stomach from a donor. As many know, there is not any set timeline for when a match will be made; it could be hours, days, weeks or months. The recovery process for this is quite extensive and could require me to remain in Alabama anywhere from 6 months to one year post-transplant as they tell me bowels require the longest amount of recovery. This is a recovery that I cannot and will not be allowed to do alone. In fact, they will not even transplant me if I do not have 100%, 24-hour care for the first few months post op.
My journey all along has never been one just about me, but rather one which has impacted all the people in my life, especially my family. I have never been good at asking for help, but I find myself at this time in need of some assistance by supporting me and the extra financial burden that will be placed upon my family.
I have not had the easiest path, but I can see all the blessings that I have been given along the way. One of the greatest blessings is my family; they never stop, they never let me go, never let me down and they step up at every challenge presented to me. This next challenge, while there is so, so much to gain, will also be a period of great difficulty.
Thank you so much to everyone for loving me, coaching me, encouraging me to pursue my dreams and passions, for picking me up when I fall and for sharing and celebrating with me in my wins. Thank you for all the prayers, so many prayers! As I enter this new phase I am excited. Everyone is hopeful and encouraged by the new opportunities this transplant can offer me.
I strongly ask if you are not registered to be an organ donor, please consider doing so. It can be the greatest gift you could ever give someone. https://www.donatelife.net
I love you all!
Allison
Organizer
Eileen Brett Sarver
Organizer
Fairless Hills, PA