Unfortunately I later discovered the blood I received was tainted with hepatitis C. A search revealed many others in Denver in 1988 also contracted the deadly hepatitis C virus from blood transfusions.

The virus went un-detected for many years, in fact I had no clue that it was causing a severe case of cirrhosis of the liver until I started hemorrhaging. The reason I need a complete transplant is not only the damaged liver, but hepatitis C virus, in it's end stage can only be removed by replacing the liver.  Originally my doctor said I would need to raise about $500,000. just for the medical procedures alone, and that I would die within a year if I didn't get the transplant, but this was about 1 1/2 years ago and thanks be to God and my family and loved ones along with Loma Linda medical university I'm still alive.

At the end of July, 2007 I felt sick and coughed up 2/3 of my body's blood supply. Thank God my wife and son Gus, were with me. They called the ambulance and notified the hospital that I was bleeding to death. I got there in the nick of time and they were able to give me blood transfusions to hold me over for a few hours.

They then performed an emergency procedure called T.I.P.S., that re-routed my blood supply around the liver. They inserted a plastic tube that goes through my liver and my heart, up to my jugular vein so the main supply of blood by-passes my liver. This has kept me alive so far, however my doctor told me this would probably only last a few months to a year, as my liver will eventually develop cancer and end my life. This is why they call it "End stage liver cirrhosis" . 

My wife Debbie contacted the governors office and pleaded with them to put me on Medical so as to cover the liver transplant, and after much perseverance they finally gave the green light and approved me so I could start the long journey of tests and preparations for the surgery. I've been on the waiting list for about 8 months and now that I've got stage 2 cancer of the liver I've moved up on the list because if it spreads any further then it will be too late and the cancer will cause other problems.

I'm not worried about dying, because I believe in the word of God and that all souls return to our Creator when the silver chord parts. We all have to go sometime, so wherever that place is in the spirit is a place that many others have already gone to and most likely remain. I will simply join our long list of ancestors and loved ones who went before me as everybody else will do the same. 

We made this website to ask for donations because I'm not able to do any serious work. I can do a little here and there on web design, but I'm very limited and can't hold down a regular job as yet. I follow the news and am fully aware of the serious problems in the economy so the last thing most people want to hear is another hard luck story about people who need financial assistance.  

 

Grandson Joshua about 6 months old	Son Jeff on patrol in Bagdad, Iraq,  1/27/09

Grandson Joshua about 1 year and 6 months old, with big sister and brother

My son son Jeff came home from his tour of Iraq, blessed by God's grace, safe and sound.

Brother - Jackie & Sister Cathy                                     My brothers - David, Jackie and Sam  

Mommy Kendall                                                            Karsten James Jackson 

Thank you

May God bless you

Steve Gliksman