Warren Man Wants One Thing for Christmas: A New Liver

Denny Williams only has one thing on his Christmas list: a new liver. He needs a liver transplant, but the costs are overwhelming. Volunteers are planning a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help.

While serving overseas with the U.S. Army, Williams contracted a life-threatening liver disease, but it didn’t greatly affect his life until his illness began to quickly worsen earlier this year. Doctors now say a liver transplant is critical to his survival, and he was recently added to the transplant waiting list.

An avid Buffalo Bills fan and proud military veteran, Williams, 60, is thankful for his family and friends who have created a strong support system during this difficult time. He looks forward to the transplant that will allow him to live normally again and enjoy his favorite activities of fishing, golf and playing softball. He loved serving his community as a youth wrestling coach before his illness forced him to become a spectator. More than anything, he dreams of spending many more years creating memories with his longtime girlfriend, five sons and two grandchildren.

A liver transplant costs approximately $500,000. Even with health coverage, Williams faces significant expenses related to his transplant. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. His post-transplant medications can be very costly, and they are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.

When he receives his transplant, Williams must temporarily relocate nearly 150 miles from his home to be near the transplant center during recovery, incurring substantial travel and lodging expenses. Because of his declining health, he is unable to work, adding to the financial strain.

To overcome these financial challenges, Williams turned to the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) for assistance. NFT is a nonprofit organization that helps transplant patients raise funds to pay for transplant-related expenses.

“Dealing with a devastating illness is already difficult, but Denny has the added stress of mounting medical bills,” said Claire Prince, NFT fundraising consultant. “At NFT, we’re committed to helping Denny raise the necessary funds so he can focus on his health without constantly worrying about the expenses.”

Volunteers are holding a spaghetti dinner Sunday, Dec. 4 at 12:30 p.m. at the Eagles Club, 2101 PA Ave. E. in Warren. Admission is $7 per person and includes coffee and soda. The event will include raffles and door prices. For more information, please contact Julie First-Williams at 814-726-1538 or firstfam90@msn.com.

Volunteers are also holding a separate pie and cookie sale. Cookies range from $4 to $6.50 a dozen, and pies are $9 for a 9-inch pie. For details or to order, call (814) 489-7868.

To make a donation in honor of Williams, please mail a tax-deductible gift to the NFT Pennsylvania Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write “in honor of Denny Williams” in the memo line. Secure donations also can be made online at www.transplants.org. Donors should click on “Patients We Help” to locate Williams.

About NFT

NFT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Memphis, Tenn. that has been helping transplant patients overcome financial obstacles since 1983. NFT provides fundraising expertise and advocacy to transplant patients by organizing fundraising campaigns in the patients’ own communities. In the past 28 years, NFT has helped generate nearly $59 million to assist patients with their expenses.

NFT currently assists more than 1,200 transplant candidates and recipients nationwide. For more information about NFT, please call 800-489-3863 or visit www.transplants.org.

Provided by National Foundation for Transplants