Laurie's Last Best Chance

The Garza's Need Your Help.

Almost 21 years ago Laurie was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease named Primary Billiary Cholangitis or PBC for short. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. For the past two decades her autoimmune system has been attacking her small bile ducts 24/7. Seven years ago, de-compensated liver cirrhosis became our new reality.

Finding a living liver donor is her last best chance of survival. Transplant surgery with a living donor will allow her to undergo surgery in a healthier state thus providing a better and faster recovery period.

Receiving a liver from a deceased organ donor could take years and will require her to come within days or even hours of death - IF a compatible liver is available. She is still not sick enough to be placed on the deceased donor transplant list, but her decline is picking up speed. A living donor could lengthen her life span by many years.

Right now she has the best shot of long-term survival.

Laurie's Story and PBC

In typical Laurie fashion, she used this diagnosis to educate about PBC and especially advocate for other patients. For the past seven years she has done presentations across the US about her experience of living with PBC. This is a rare disease and can be a very lonely road. She has met so many wonderful people, some of whom have become good friends. Speaking with patients and families to help them navigate this disease has been a bright spot of this journey. And if you know her at all, she still has more to say and stories to tell.

You can learn about Laurie's Story and more about this autoimmune disease at Living with PBC.

Will You Consider Becoming Her Living Liver Donor?

This is when a person donates a portion of their happy, healthy, fully functioning liver to replace her barely functioning liver and the growing number of complications or illnesses that could end her life at any time.

A living liver donor should:

If you would like more information about becoming her living donor, contact University Hospital in San Antonio.

To start the process, please complete the online questionnaire and someone from the transplant team will contact you to schedule a phone appointment.

Spread the word

Share this information to your friends, family and those in your network asking them to consider sharing a piece of their liver to give Laurie this last best chance for survival. A Living Donor can be a family member, friend, friend of a friend, or even a stranger.

Donate to this Fundraiser

Your donation will allow us to offer some financial support to the donor for uncovered expenses such as transportation, lodging, uncovered medical procedures, prescriptions, and lost wages for both the donor and recipient. We are unable to provide any compensation for a liver as that is organ trafficking and highly illegal. However, we are able to lessen some of the financial burden on Laurie's donor and not go bankrupt in the process.

As always, we welcome your prayers to the god of your choice, the universe or good vibes for the gift of life.

With hope and gratitude,

Laurie and Eric Garza