Desperately in need of a liver transplant, the Irish father issued a heartbreaking plea to “get older and experience what life has to offer.”
Gavin Cooper, 47, was diagnosed with lung sarcoidosis in 2016, and doctors helped him “manage” his symptoms for four years.
Sadly, Cooper was told in 2021 that sarcoidosis had spread to the liver and other organs, and he had a “very rare 7cm” tumor encased in a portal vein.
“This has resulted in portal hypertension, ascites, gallbladder problems, enlarged spleen and swelling vasculature. I am constantly in and out of complications.
“I have two stents in the biliary tract and I'm scared and narrow, so I have to constantly change. I'm using stent change number 16 now and hospitalizations are becoming more and more frequent,” he said.
Cooper has been added to a post on his GoFundMe page that was set up to help fund his inner bill. He added that there are no surgeons in Ireland with the expertise that require liver transplantation and portal vein reconstruction.
“What's worse, if I don't have this life-saving operation, my doctor advises I'll only survive for five years,” he said.
The GoFundMe page already has 7,000 euros been donated to the public as they are trying to raise 150,000 euros.
“I am the husband of an amazing wife, Irene, and the father of three beautiful children who want to see me grow up, get married and have their own children. I want to get older and experience what life has to offer with my family, but my illness has become so intense for me and my family.
“Since January, I have not been able to work and my wife has been working two jobs to try and interact with each other. Being in this situation is very painful, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
“I've worked hard for my life and never asked for help, but now I've realized that we all need help,” he said.
Cooper added: I want to be here for my family. We would like to thank you for your donations, big and small, and sincerely thank you for them. Thank you for reading my story. I will provide an update as I continue this fight to save my life. Keep me and my family in your prayers. ”
Click to donate to the GoFundMe page here.
