Help Carole Stites-Luka

Carole Stites-Luka

Raising Hope, Changing Lives Loving wife, mother and grandmother Fall 2008

Dear Friend, What if you were living on borrowed time?

Carole Stites-Luka is.
This devoted wife, mother and grandmother went to the doctor in June 2008 for a routine check-up. Blood work revealed abnormal liver functions. After undergoing further tests, Carole was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile ducts. There is no cure for her disease, and doctors say her only hope is a liver transplant.


Carole's life has undergone drastic changes in the short time since her diagnosis. Her health has rapidly declined, forcing her to retire from her job as a school crossing guard, a position she held for 22 years. She has also spent the past 30 years working at a flea market, and she's had to give that up too.


Despite her illness, Carole has high hopes for the future. She looks forward to the lifesaving transplant that will give her the energy to fully enjoy life again. But she needs your help. Unfortunately, Carole's hope for a new life comes at a very high price. A liver transplant costs approximately $500,000. And that's only the beginning. Even with health insurance, Carole will face significant medical expenses. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. The cost of post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month—and they are as critical to her survival as the transplant itself. It is estimated that in the short term, Carole will need at least $50,000 to cover her medical expenses.


To make matters worse, her husband, Daniel, was recently laid off from his job. He has postponed his job search until after her transplant, so he can accompany her to the many doctors' appointments she requires. The family will have to temporarily relocate to Minnesota to be near the transplant center, further adding to their financial burdens.


What if your life depended on the compassion and generosity of others? The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is working with volunteers and supporters to help relieve the growing burden of expenses for Carole and her family. NFT has been assisting transplant patients with advocacy and fundraising support for more than 25 years. Your gift—of $25, $50, $100 or more—will enable NFT to provide Carole with the financial support she desperately needs.


You can help in the following ways: Send a tax-deductible donation in the self-addressed envelope using the enclosed donation form, via check or credit card. Please make your check payable to NFT Pennsylvania Liver Fund. Remember to write "in honor of Carole Stites-Luka" on the memo line. Visit http://www.transplants.org/ to make a secure online donation. Click on Patients We Help and search for Carole Stites-Luka. If you have any questions about NFT, their services or volunteering, feel free to contact the NFT staff at 800-489-3863.








Many Thanks,




P.S. What if Carole were your sister? Your mother? Your wife? Please send your gift today!