Support Lauren Cahlan's Transplant Recovery and Expenses

Dear Friends and Family of Lauren Cahlan,

I first met Lauren in 2012, when she was a bright-eyed, ambitious graduate of UNR eager to begin her career in public relations. Over the 10+ years we worked together, she became a valued friend, and I admired her kind, motivating leadership, work ethic and positive attitude.

A few years ago, Lauren could tell that something was off. She was aware she had a weakened liver but didn't know the extent to which it was damaging her other organs, including her heart, lungs, brain, kidneys and gallbladder. Her body was slowly shutting down, and on the morning of March 5 of this year, her health took a dramatic downward turn, and she was admitted to the ER.

After a multitude of tests, Lauren, who is only 33, was diagnosed with stage 4 (also known as end stage) liver failure, which had also caused the onset of jaundice. Without immediate care, she could have passed away within a matter of weeks. She was transferred to seven different hospitals and treatment centers in the following weeks. She received hundreds of tests and countless medications, ultimately becoming stable enough to be considered for the transplant list. During this time, Lauren was intubated with a ventilator, and her family was told to prepare in the event she did not survive.

With the help and love of her family and the support of countless medical professionals, Lauren fought hard to beat the odds. Once stabilized and through the urging of her medical team, she was transported via helicopter to a top-notch transplant center in Southern California.

After more waiting, tests and stabilization, she matched with a donor and was rushed into surgery on May 11. The 10-hour surgery was a success, but not without complications, including a collapsed lung, blood loss and sepsis, which required two subsequent procedures in the days to follow.

Lauren is on her way to recovery and has to relearn how to walk and rebuild vital motor skills. She will need anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life and will be under the care of doctors indefinitely.

She is grateful her insurance will cover many of the medical bills. However, her day-to-day expenses are mounting while she works on her recovery. Seeing the stress of that financial burden and knowing how hard it is for her to ask for help, I offered to set up a GoFundMe for Lauren.

Lauren is grateful to be alive and wants nothing more than to honor her donor's generosity and advocate for others whose lives can be saved by this incredible gift.

Any money raised will go directly toward Lauren's bills. If you cannot donate, Lauren asks that you consider becoming an organ donor or donating blood.

Thank you kindly!

Stephanie Wilson, friend/former employer